The army was spying on Saki as she listened to the three shinobi, pretending to walk by on their way to the horses, because they needed water or just standing around, staring at the group. The two masked ones they did not know at all and Kiko whom they recognized as one of hers were with her. It was still suspicious. What if they were infiltrated enemies?
The waiting was making the men antsy, worry-prone.
The four of them were outside, in the sun seemingly careless and open. Their shinobi sat down on the engawa, leaning against one column. The others were kneeling around her on the ground or on the wooden floor. It was like a little war council. Saki had slept, woken up and returned to work, checking on everybody and everything, ordering some of them to sleep, noticing who had and hadn't taken care of themselves. The One-Eyed Dragon hadn't regained his senses yet. Saki said they had drugged him so he would have a while longer to heal. As soon as he was conscious he would want to move and that would not be helpful.
"The Maedas attacked Uesugi. It was a failed attempt and they have retreated back to Kaga." Shiro was saying. "Maeda Keiji seems to have fought against his own family but not under any banner."
"Uesugi used a ploy to trick them into a more favourable battleground and box them in. In the end no one won." No land for Toyotomi, and minor losses in the Maeda Army. "According to our contacts Maeda Toshiee was rather wounded and will be unable to take to the field for a while."
"And his wife?" Saki asked, her fingers moving in a soft rhythm, training them.
"Unharmed as far as we know."
"Keiji?"
"Missing once more." Shiro said. "There have been some sightings that suggest he's going to Osaka.
"Sanada Yukimura left Kai and heads towards Satsuma. It appears as though he is an envoy." Kuro changed the warlord, still and calm.
"Alliance most likely." Saki reasoned. It seemed to fit the Tiger's style. When caged look from help outside. Then hammer the enemy down on both sides.
"Kai seems to be pinned by the conflicts outside and around its lands and by the loss of some of its controlled lands." The black mask completed his train of thought.
"So the armies that were attacking us if victorious would storm through Uesugi's lands and then, joining with the Maedas, move on to take Kai." Saki shook her head. Awfully sure of their army's strength. They followed the plan single-mindedly… which meant the Date defeating the uprising would upset all the balance Takenaka Hanbei had planned. Hopefully that would buy the Land of the Rising Sun some time to take measures against the Toyotomi.
"Katakura Kojuro has been delivered to Osaka-jo's cells." Shiro picked up the conversation as the silence has stretched for a bit longer. "Nobuko-sama sent word telling us he was not severely wounded but had not regained his senses. Also it seems little measures against his person will be taken."
There was small cheer behind closed shoji, a flurry of movements as the word was passed. The Right Eye was imprisoned but alive and Saki knew where he was. That would make storming Osaka easier, like their Boss said. The army gained some peace of mind with that information. Saki was uneasy.
"Nobuko-sama also expressed a strong desire to eliminate the nuke-nin." Shiro mentioned. Saki grimaced.
"Tell her it's my fight." There was a very hard silence that clearly meant you tell her.
"The alliance with Aki will be completed within a few hours. A day at most." Kiko spoke up. "Ojou-sama's agents say they saw Takenaka Hanbei on the move." So he was talking to Mori personally. Two soft spoken girly-boys in the same area with the same kind of scheming, slimy mind. The highlight in that was that most likely they would betray each other as soon as they ceased to have any use.
"Do we have anyone helping Chosokabe Motochika?"
"There is a clan in the employ of the Demon of Shikoku." They gave her no name so it should be a small clan, maybe no more than thirty, forty shinobi. Maybe one of those families that did it to protect their territory rather than gather money.
"Does he know about it?" Saki asked, smiling slightly.
"No." Kiko said with a scowl, amused.
Saki nodded and stood slowly. Sleep had worked wonders. She stretched slightly, looking up. While they had no choice but to wait she could see if a few more cat naps could be added to her duties. She plopped down one her back, arms behind the head as a makeshift pillow. They didn't seem to care about the laid back gestures. They were also quite relaxed themselves.
"Oichi-sama, the sister of Oda Nobunaga, has been found alive by some remnants of Oda's forces. They shown no hostile intent so far." Kiko said. "Near Azuchi."
Saki frowned. After five years… and Date had told her how he had seen the devil King murder his own sister… it was hard to believe but it could be possible.
"Investigate a bit more." She asked softly, arching her sore back, eyes closed. "Could be an impersonator."
"Matsunaga Hisahide has resurfaced, hunting for treasures." That she could believe more easily. His convenient death at Todai-ji… she opened one eye, watching as Magobei fidgeted at the entrance of the yashiki, having recognized the name. "There are rumours about the wondrous items in Toyotomi's collection that one such as him might desire."
"So an alliance is a possibility." Saki admitted sourly. He was a crafty general.
"Fuma Kotaro also reappeared and is currently under his employ." Fuma… So another shinobi to deal with that was under the Toyotomi wing.
"Saica?" The kunoichi inquired.
"Their movements are covered by the army's motions. It is impossible to tell if they are planning on rebelling and abandoning Toyotomi soon." Kuro supplied. Any rebellion would look like a simple preparation to move out with the behemoths army.
"Anything more to say?" Saki asked, shaking her head. Kuro and Shiro exchanged a look. Kiko bowed and left. "What?" She whispered dourly.
"The Celestial Mistress ordered you to reveal yourself to Date Masamune." They said.
Saki groaned, rubbing her nose bridge.
"Fine. Go. I won't need anything else for the time being." The Masks disappeared leaving her alone.
"Saki-chan?" Saki looked up, towards Yoshinao who approached carefully, trying to appraise her mood. "What do we need to do?"
"Nothing of what was said to me affects us at the moment." Saki smiled in reassurance and stared at the trees that protected their location.
The slight shift in Date's breathing pattern, a sharp intake, the surprise of waking up after almost two days of unconsciousness, was enough for Saki to awaken, sitting quickly. Bunshichi was nodding off.
"Boss…" He mumbled softly, glancing with bleary eyes. Then the retainer focused, almost shouting. "Boss…" He stood quickly, running, shouting at the army, letting them know. The men began to move, pouring into the room, relieved. Some laughed, some wept discreetly. They gathered around.
Saki moved in quietly, kneeling behind Date, placing his head gently on her lap, caressing his hair, slipping it away from his face as his confusion ebbed away, taking in his surroundings, understanding the situation.
"Wait for them." She whispered, kissing his forehead, giving him time, adjusting the covers and the haori over him. He closed his eye once more, getting comfortable.
"Was I dreaming or something?" Date asked slowly, his voice weary as all the men were in the room, relieved.
"No." Bunshichi hesitated in his answer but spoke nonetheless.
"You were already worn ragged and then you went at it with Toyotomi Hideyoshi…" Everyone flinched, quietly as Magobei spoke.
"So I lost." Date reasoned. "Why am I alive?" He asked then tiredly, deflated. Saki caressed his head softly, allowing the men to explain.
"The thing is…" Yoshinao started then hesitated.
They explained how Saki had tried to defend him, shouting at the army to get the One-Eyed Dragon away, how they, in the end, had protected him with their bodies.
"The odds were stacked pretty badly against us but…" Samenosuke gulped and shook his head, the memory of their loss clearly painful. "He eased up on attacking us for some reason. We took that chance to make a mad dash and…" Get him away.
"We just knew we had to protect you, even if it killed us…" Bunshichi said sharply, leaning, almost bowing.
"Or else we'd be worthless…" Yoshinao fisted his hands, expression closed. "And we'd never be able to face Katakura-sama either."
"Did anyone get killed bringing up the rear?" Date asked tiredly.
"No. All the survivors managed. Saki led us here."
"I see…" Date said, moving, eye closed. "«Thanks.»" He whispered to the shock of the army while he sat up. Saki adjusted, wrapping her arms around his waist, letting him lean against her.
"You shouldn't get up yet." Magobei gestured, almost dashing to help. In the end they did not, just waiting for orders. Saki felt the effort Date was making to stay upright and slid a bit closer.
"Bunshichi, Mago is there anything to eat?" The One-Eyed Dragon asked, watching as they left, groaning in annoyance, staring at his fist. "«Insufficient blood»" Date grumbled. That masked lackey and that ape general… Talk about both of them slacking off in the end game…"
"We are glad you live though." Saki whispered. "All of them felt lost. They are loyal to you to their deaths. And most likely beyond it…" She gestured one of the soldier to help, standing. "There are things to discuss after you eat."
"Saki-chan?" Samenosuke called.
"Not now." She said, shadowing, walking out of the room.
The cell was encased in the stone foundations of the fortress. The light came from a narrow barred slit between the ground level and the fortress. The wooden cage was concealed behind shoji. The stone walls were hidden behind opaque wooden fusuma. The flooring was tatami. If one did not know it could be though he was in a simple guest room. Kojuro was not a fool to think that although that prison was indeed nicer than the outside pits. He had been taken there to be manipulated, moulded and brought to another warlord's cause. How long would it take for Takenaka Hanbei to understand that his loyalty to Masamune-sama would remain unchanged?
The Right Eye of the Dragon had assumed a meditative position, waiting, planning and pondering.
"Awake I see." A female voice whispered in the quiet room suddenly. He opened his eyes calmly, refusing to show any kind of emotion or surprise. A shinobi was kneeling in front of him, sitting upright and at ease. She had black hair pulled back into a simple braid and very dark eyes, narrow and cunning. Her age was unclear. She was completely covered in a black outfit. And she looked very familiar. A smile spread over her lips as he stared her down. Not a flinch, no sign of discomfort. "Seeing the resemblances I believe?"
"You are Saki's mother." The Right Eye spoke.
"Kizune Nobuko." She introduced herself. "And you are Katakura Kojuro, the Right Eye of the Dragon that may or may not loose his hands for touching my child." Kojuro lowered his head slightly, letting the threat slide, acknowledging her. A mother had that right.
"Why have you shown yourself?" He asked in the same muted tone she was using.
"To be of some relief. It will be easy for them to tell you lies. And confined in this walls soon enough your defences will start to erode. When the truth is hidden a lie is easy to take, to mistake for reality. It grows and festers." She paused, letting him feel the honest, plain truth in her words. "Also I am bored." She admitted then with an ease that was close to her husband's. "I cannot exterminate a man I want to eliminate because my daughter claimed the kill. And yet he is right here, within reach." Nobuko scoffed. Kojuro nodded. He understood such a frustration.
"That could compromise your secrecy." He pointed out.
"Everyone knows I'm here. It is amusing to see the wide berth they give my reputation even though they don't recognize my face. They speak of my presence in frightened whispers when I am standing right there then tell me to be careful, that I would not want to find myself in the winding corridors of Osaka-jo."
Kojuro felt a slight amusement at that.
Nobuko stared at him for a long moment.
"I will inform your faction of your current state."
"Can you tell me nothing?" Kojuro asked. Had the unrest exploded into battle or been quelled, had the traitor been named after he killed him, were there more?
"I can… but I will always let the Toyotomi talk first. I want to see how sharp your mind is." Nobuko vanished smoothly, leaving him alone. The Right Eye regained his calm posture when he heard steps on the corridor. Light and fluid, heavy and clacking with armour. Soon enough a key was turned and Takenaka Hanbei was allowed inside the cell, accompanied by a soldier carrying a shrouded bundle.
"Pardon my intrusion Katakura-kun. Your Lord is really something else. Nanbu, Tsugaru, Souma and Ashina…" Kojuro stirred a bit, worried about such occurrences. They had indeed attacked and in a coalition. "It seems he did not succumb even when boxed in by four armies." Relief and pride coursed through the Right Eye although he showed nothing. "I didn't think the Date Army could accomplish so much without you."
"Of course they could. You better not underestimate Masamune-sama." Kojuro's words were firm and cold, dismissing Hanbei's assumptions."
"Thanks to that… I had intended to have Hideyoshi store up his energy for a while but I wound up needing him to pay a personal visit to Oshu." Worry made his hand twitch. Hanbei seemed to have picked up on that, smirking. "You can rest easy. As to Masamune-kun's fate… I won't tease you by not telling you what ultimately happened." He gestured. The soldier placed the bundle in front of Kojuro, opening it to reveal the broken claw, the metal twisted, the handle darkened. "A souvenir for you, brought by one of the soldiers that accompanied Hideyoshi. It's one of Masamune-kun's six swords right?" Toyotomi's general looked down, the soft voice dripping with fake reassurance and comprehension. "I won't ask that you join our cause immediately. First I just want you to accept that the man you used to serve is no more. I won't be able to wait long but I believe I can sympathize with how you feel right now."
He left then, abandoning the Right Eye to his rage. He calmed down finally, touching the handle of the katana, trying to feel anything, a connection, trying to feel the truth.
"So… what was what?" Nobuko appeared again after a long silence as Kojuro stared at the broken and battered blade, hands clenched into fists. The Right Eye looked at her with confidence.
"Masamune-sama is not dead."
"Show me. If I was not here to say it was not so how would you convince yourself?"
"A sword can be easily lost in the battlefield. Especially if its wielder is in such a desperate situation. Masamune-sama wields six. He can afford to lose one claw to keep his life safe even though most of the times he returns to reclaim it." Kojuro shook his head. "Boxed in… But… they did not bring his head. Hanbei talked about Hideyoshi going to Oshu but never once stated with the clear pride and admiration he hold for his lord that Toyotomi Hideyoshi killed Date Masamune and claimed Oshu. All he spoke about were suggestions, hints that can be taken as a general informing another of his Lord's death. In the end all words were meant for me to break my vows to Masamune-sama."
Nobuko nodded slowly.
"The One-Eyed Dragon is indeed alive. The army suffered a hard blow but it will be able to recover. According to Saki in a week they will be moving out." She sat a bit more at ease. "You reasoned that your Lord was alive because he gave you no true evidence of his death and his words were unclear and lacking on his usual gushing over Toyotomi's absolute perfection in his eyes."
"That. And I feel it in me. The One-Eyed Dragon will not die before he claims all of Japan." Kojuro stated firmly.
"What if I told you that my daughter was carrying his child." Kojuro palled suddenly, eyes widening. Nobuko started to laugh. "The faces you men make when you learn one of us might be pregnant…" The Right Eye sighed in relief, noticing the teasing. "I swear… Takeshi passed out, flat on the ground."
"It is not so much about Saki carrying a child. It's Masamune-sama's blood influence that worries me."
"Troublesome boy was he?"
"Indeed."
"Saki was a calm child for the most part… but when Sasuke came to visit they were a pair of kitsune loose in the clan… he taught a two year old child to walk on the ceiling upside down and having stolen my husband's chains to swing around. Footprints on the ceiling…" Nobuko smiled fondly.
"I thank you for trying to ease my mood." Kojuro bowed his head slightly to the woman before she disappeared once more, leaving him with his through and the broken katana.
Date looked up towards the starry sky, leaning against the solid column, slightly irked he had needed a bit of help to walk that distance. The night felt cool and soothing. He could see some men on watch. The horses nary made a sound. Most of the army was asleep. Saki joined him with tea, placing the rough cups between the before kneeling down in front of him, sighing.
"What's on your mind?" Date asked calmly. Even though it wasn't obvious with the army fumbling around him, relieved by his recovery, she had been avoiding him even though she had expressed her wish to talk.
"I don't know if you'll understand but I was ordered to tell." The shinobi looked at him for a long moment, nibbling on her lower lip before letting go, straightening. Her eyes had grown formal and distant. Whatever it is was making her suddenly uncomfortable. "My name is Kizune Saki, daughter of Kizune Nobuko the Eleventh Celestial Mistress and Matriarch of the clan." Noble blood? Unsurprising from the way she carried herself but rather jarring seeing she was serving under him, seeing that she had given herself to him. But then again… shinobi. "I am first in line to the title." She added sourly, extending her arm, a jade piece resting on her bandaged hand. A dragon coiled around a plum blossom. Date smiled, thinking of her kimono. Then he had thought those dragons slithering on the silk around her marked his claim. Now he could see something more. Both his claim and her origins. "This is our crest." She continued softly. He picked it up, brushing his fingers over her wounded palm, seeing her shiver, breaking away from the formality.
"And what does it mean?" The One-Eyed Dragon asked carefully.
"It means you know. Nothing more." Saki shrugged and picked up the cup, staring at the tea.
"Are you abandoning me?" He pressed, curious as to why she was talking about it. Saki looked up, surprised. She let go of the tea and came closer, embracing him gently, her warmth welcome in his arms.
"No." She moved, kissing his lips slowly, chastely. Silence was comfortable while she stayed there. Even though it made his body ache he liked her weight against his chest, the hand that played with his hair and traced the exposed skin on his neck gently. "Let me go to Osaka." She whispered calmly. "Let me get Katakura-dono back while you heal." Saki offered her skills. She had been in the fortress. She had spies within. And then there was her mother. It would not be a hard mission to do with a little surveillance and patience. Especially at the moment when the country though Date either beaten or dead.
"No." The One-Eyed Dragon stated firmly.
"Don't be stubborn." She insisted. They all knew what the plan would be. Back to Oshu, get the soldier reserve, get supplies and march down to Osaka for war and raid. "Look at your state. You are hurt. It will take a while before…" Saki whimpered in pain when he pressed her wounds, caught by surprise. Date let go of the source of her pain almost immediately, soothing it with a light caress, moving just a bit to look her in the eyes.
"You are also hurt. I will not let you go. Ojou or not you are still mine." He smirked slightly. Saki groaned, looking at the sky through the branches.
"I am expendable." She pointed out.
"Do you have a sister?" Date retorted.
"No."
"Then you are not expendable for your clan."
"Any woman of dragon blood can take the title." She brushed the issue aside and moved a bit out of his arms, facing him sternly. "I will not be coddled because of my blood, my title or my station. I will not stay out of combat or missions just because…" Saki stopped and chuckled. "I am babbling your feelings to the world and yet I was not understanding it… Forgive me." Saki returned to his arms, snuggling, closing her eyes. Soon it would be time to take him back inside, convince him to rest a bit more.
"Judgements get clouded when we feel tired and cornered." Date said in a measured tone, thoughtful. Without his Right Eye he should pay more attention to his temper…
"Can I go to Osaka to get Katakura-dono?"
"Drop it."