Song's
(beginning part of the chapter) Immortals by Fall out boy
(How Sanada feels) I Hate u by Simon Curtis
(How Masamune feels) Enemy by Simon Curtis
"My lord Masamune! Slow down!" Kojūrō yells as he tries to spur the horse faster behind Masamune who is cackling ahead. Masamune's teenage years were going to kill him!
Masamune looked back at Kojūrō and smirked "Come on we can't be late to the party Kojūrō!" he looked back ahead this would be the day he saw Sanada again hopefully this fight between Shingen and Kenshin was his chance to gain control of those lands and maybe get Sanada back, but he wasn't planning on slowing for anything.
"I swear boy, you are going to run me a heart attack someday at this rate!" Kojūrō leaned forward on his horse, spurring it faster to keep up with Masamune's breakneck speed.
Masamune smiled hearing his right eye behind him he was sure this would be an easy win.
'Of course he's not concerned. Where did this reckless behaviour come from?! He was cocky, sure, but this is downright unruly!' Kojūrō scolded his parenting skills as they approached a wide ditch jump. Whistling to the rest of the soldiers, the rest of the army was aware of the jump up ahead.
Masamune's heart started to beat faster with every moment they got closer and closer to Sanada he was ready to see his old friend how much had he changed was he still the sweet little boy he knew? Or did he become a warrior? So many questions and things he wanted to ask and tell Sanada when he saw him. Masamune landed on the other side of the jump still racing ahead they weren't too far now from Kenshin's camp.
Kojūrō was the next to make the jump, only a flash of red rushed past him as he made the jump, startling his horse and sending it stumbling down the deep ditch.
Masamune stopped hearing a distress and looked to see where Kojūrō was only to see the horse stumbling into the ditch. "KOJURO!" Masamune raced back to help his right eye.
Kojūrō was knocked from the saddle as the horse barrelled down the steep slope and sending Kojūrō down the rocky ledge. He was unhurt, and his horse was clearly alive, as it was making an enormous amount of noise squealing as it did. Getting back to his feet, Kojūrō searched the ditch looking for a way out on either side.
"Lord masamune, there's a path through this way. I can split off, follow the ditch, and meet you." Kojūrō shouted.
Masamune was directing the soldiers in the way that Kojūrō said. "See you then Kojūrō!" Masamune shouted to communicate with his right eye.
"Right! Also watch out for a rider in red! He's the one that knocked me down here! Watch out!" Kojūrō yelled back as he remounted and set off at a gallop down the path of the ditch.
Masamune nodded and took the lead of his group he watched carefully to take head of his right eyes words when he heard a noise in the distance. He advised the group to continue one while he fell back.
"Who's there!?" Masamune shouted
Kojūrō followed the ditch path, hearing galloping above him, along with seeing more soldiers in red making the jump across the ditch. Finally reaching the end, Kojūrō rode up to the higher ground, only to cause a whole crowd to halt. At their head was a familiar face. Yukimura.
"H-hello." Kojūrō greeted nervously as he pulled his horse to back away to run. He ran, and with a yell, Yukimura gave chase, causing Kojūrō, for once, to genuinely panic as he ran blindly.
Masamune chased the sound following close behind watching for traps when he noticed other hoof prints on the ground and obviously new tracks by the stirred up ground he followed along when he caught sight of a familiar object that was dropped. Kojūrō's canteen, Masamune picked it up and rode on as fast as he could. His right eye was in trouble. he wasn't going to allow it as long as he could follow him.
Yukimura continued chasing Kojūrō, his intents clear as he even reached for one of his spears and threw it, hitting Kojūrō in the shoulder as he continued running away. Kojūrō tried reaching into one of his pockets, only to find it empty. 'My canteen! I dropped it! Damn! Right when I need it too?!' Pulling with agony while steering the horse with the other, Kojūrō ripped the Spear out, yelling in pain as the grooved edges ripped into the wound and widened it. Blindly Kojūrō threw the spear back, with Yukimura catching it easily 'Takeda taught him how to use grooved edges on the blade of his sword. He's really become that cruel, has he?'
Masamune rode as fast as he could panicked about his right eye. He was so panicked that he was actually holding on to the handles of his horse he started to catch up when he heard the pained yell of his right eye. He was now enraged that he wasn't there to help his right eye and this made him ride even faster. "KOJURO!" Masamune screamed out hoping that his right eye could hear him and know that he will be okay.
Yukimura threw his spear again, Hitting Kojūrō again and successfully knocking him off his horse. ' Ow! Same shoulder, asshole!' Kojūrō was sent tumbling to the ground, and Sanada hopped off his horse, gripping one spear and a backup katana as he approached Kojuro with murderous eyes.
Masamune saw the band of horses and knew this wasn't good he hoped he made it in time when he saw kojūrō. He jumped off his horse and ran and threw himself in front of Kojūrō, panting but his hands on his six swords 'dragon claws'." Kojūrō you okay?" Masamune asked
"How bad does it look? Is it going to scar?" Kojūrō asked, keeping a light tone despite his face twisted in an enormous amount of pain.
Masamune finally faced the person in front of him pain shot through him but he had to protect Kojūrō. Yukimura's murderous look gave way to shock for a moment, before returning to the cold blooded killer he'd been willing to be moments ago. "How nice to see you again, Masamune." Yukimura said sarcastically as he gripped the backup katana and the spear.
Masamune gripped his swords "Yuki is that really you?" worry in the dragons speech
"As far as I know there's only one person with my name, so yes, it is me." Yukimura spat. " Now if you don't mind, Kojūrō has my spear. May I have it back," Yukimura said coldly.
Masamune glanced over at Kojūrō and then back to Yukimura "Yuki how … how could you hurt Kojūrō? Was it to get back at me?" Masamune asked
"It's a little more complicated than that, but in a way. Don't try to pull that out on your own, Kojūrō, that one went through your shoulder bone." Yukimura growled at Kojūrō as he attempted to pull the spear out, only to drop his hands at Yukimura's words.
" Kojūrō don't hurt yourself! Let me handle this." Masamune held back the pain and channeled his strength "Yukimura if you wish to hurt Kojūrō any more i'll have to kill you so back off, please" Masamune pleaded.
"I don't normally take requests… but fine. It's up to you to get the spear out. I want it back in either one piece or fragments, please, when you remove it." Yukimura grumbled, looking away from Masamune.
Masamune looked at Yukimura then looked at Kojūrō kneeling down to figure out how to get this damn spear out of his right eye.
"You can cut the spear out, though it's going to be bloody. Those edges are useful for fighting, best thing Takeda's taught me." Yukimura said a hint of pride in his voice
"I hope you know that Masamune's been dependant on you for motivation, Yukimura. This is quite a cruel way to re introduce yourself" Kojūrō groaned as he started to feel lightheaded and his eyes started to fall shut.
"KOJŪRŌ STAY WITH ME DAMN IT!" Masamune pulled out one of his words and took off the top jacket part of his outfit Masamune began to cut the spear out.
"You know Yuki, i'm glad that you became a warrior you always needed someone to protect you but now you're able to protect yourself, I guess you hate my living guts even though you were always my strength and motivation to fight" tears began to fall from his face as he spoke his words did not falter even if he was crying "Another thing I learned was to cry silently because I knew that the pain of you leaving would haunt me" Masamune said quietly.
"I wouldn't say I hate your living guts. But yes, I hate your guts. The only difference now is I can act on that hate." Yukimura said, keeping his voice steady even as he felt little tears in his own eyes, still making no move to help remove his spear from Kojūrō's shoulder.
"I want you to know this Yu … Sanada that I will take down your lord and if that means you too then fine but I can't believe that you the person you were would want to react on hate and create a world of pain" Masamune never looking up and working diligently to get the spear out of Kojūrō.
"Let's just say I have my reasons, you have yours. You know the story." Yukimura grumbled, watching Masamune work desperately to get the spear out. "For someone who apparently looked up to me, you certainly seem willing to take me out in the path to my master." Yukimura growled tightening his grip on his spear.
"I didn't 'look up to you' I used you as a strength to fight , always fighting to protect Kojūrō, the clan and Yuki so that he has somewhere to call home again" Masamune voice changed a little more of anger as he finally dislodged the spear from kojūrō.
Kojūrō finally felt the spear leave, but the lightheadedness tempted him too much, and he felt his eyes slip closed heavily against his will, even as he could still hear the conflict beyond him.
Masamune the took the jacket and ripped part off to for a bandage and a sling for Kojūrō. "I was hoping that maybe you wouldn't have changed but I guess that was stupid but I wanted to have my only friend back at my side like how Kojūrō is always there for me" Masamune growled and clenched a fist " but I was wrong about my hope, and right about how much I distrust, and how disgusted I am by your lord Shingen" Masamune shook his head " I will be the one to unite this world under peace" Masamune said with determination.
"You've realised by now nobody can live in peace. Why do you think all the lords are constantly at war. It's a chaos system, and it's a matter of finding your place in this chaos system." Yukimura said with a sigh.
"You are so wrong! There is peace but we fight over it and make it a chaos, you used to see the world in such a better light when you lived with me, Kojūrō… and the people of Ohsu" Masamune growled.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe you're completely wrong. who knows. I'm amazed though that you think a complete betrayal of my trust in one night can be forgiven in a couple of years." Yukimura scoffed.
"I think I would know of betrayal more than you think Yuki -sorry, Sanada, I was betrayed by my own MOTHER I can never forgive her. So I know that you probably never will forgive me, but I thought maybe you would still see reason and be able to somewhat see from my point of view." Masamune said trying to get Kojūrō to open his eyes again.
"And here I was betrayed by the closest thing I had to a close friend and a love! I'd say we're about equal, no?" Yukimura remounted his horse, catching his spear as it was thrown back at him by Masamune and getting ready to ride off.
"I am still sorry and I still regret it okay" Masamune
"I'm sorry too. I've got my regrets too, you know." Yukimura grumbled as he turned his horse to fall back the path they'd come from. Spurring his horse, the took off down the path, leaving Kojūrō and Masamune alone.
Masamune looked at Kojūrō and stayed there a while in silence. Kojūrō groaned before peeking open one eye, only to close it upon seeing the damage to his shoulder.
"Boss Masamune- Master Katakura!" A squad of soldiers came riding up the road, and dismounted quickly before swarming around the two. "Master Katakura, can you hear us?! We need to retreat, Lord Masamune! Master Katakura is in no condition to stay on the battlefield boss…. Boss Masamune? Are you alright?"
Masamune didn't reply, still staring down where Yukimura had been 'What have they done to you, Yuki? What did Takeda do to change you so drastically? And more importantly why did Shingen teach you to hate?'
The soldiers pulled Kojūrō up and pulled him onto Masamune's horse with great effort. Realizing his current position, Masamune got up and mounted his horse, being sure to hold the unconscious Kojūrō carefully in front of him as he made the hard ride back to Aoba Castle. 'Don't die on me, Kojūrō! We're nearly home, just hold out a little longer!'. Taking notice of the dampening feeling on his shirt, he spurred the horse faster as the sleeve of his shirt started to turn a bright red. Eventually the dark shape of the castle appeared in the distance as the sun started dipping below the horizon.
