When Mitsunari woke in the morning, he found his brother sitting in the middle of the doorway overlooking the garden. Joining him quietly, the two gazed at the well-tended flowerbeds, the light morning sky and the treetops of the wild forest beyond. The fragrance from the pond drifted towards them.
"Soon we will have to wake from this dream," Masazumi said quietly. "Returning to the outside world means taking on the burden of living once again."
"I suppose it is terrible, when you think of it that way."
"We feel this way because we've forgotten what true peace is like." Getting up, the older Ishida stretched. "It wouldn't be so bad, to give everything up and live like this, but it would be boring."
"Are you saying we're so used to staring death in the face and killing men that we could no longer accept a life like this?"
Masazumi looked at him with wistful eyes. "I don't know how to answer you. But I'm glad we were able to live here, even if it was only a short while, and most of all I'm glad you were here with me."
"Our lives are a journey together, Onii-sama."
The sparrow maidens greeted them as they entered the dining hall, and told them Obaa-san requested that they eat in her chambers instead as part of a farewell. Taking the lift, they found the old woman sitting at her table, which was already heaped with food. They wasted no time digging in.
"Listen," Obaa-san said when they were done, gesturing towards two boxes on the floor. "I have packed all your books into those boxes. One box contains all the Miura texts that I salvaged. The other contains books and items that help with your gifts—references on both spirits and youkai, and paper charms and exorcism items for Masazumi. Guard everything well. Do not, under any circumstances, allow anyone to even touch the Miura texts without your consent. They are clan secrets and must be protected. Do you understand?"
They nodded.
"For that reason, the box with the Miura texts can withstand flame and water, and has an enchanted sliding puzzle lock. Only those of Ishida blood will be able to see the pattern and complete the puzzle—anyone else will see an impenetrable stone clasp with no possible opening."
"What if someone tries to break the lock?" Masazumi asked.
"They can't," she responded simply. "If there are no more Ishida left, then no one else will ever have your knowledge. A simple solution."
Reaching into her sleeve, she produced a small bundle of wrapped red silk. Laying it on the table, she pulled apart the cord binding it together and revealed a beautiful charm. The brothers nearly bumped their heads together trying to get a closer look.
Two foxes carved from an unknown stone that resembled crimson jade, their poses complementing each other, curled around a yin-yang symbol. The yin-yang was fashioned from pearly white and black stones, gleaming brilliantly at different angles. The foxes' tails were carved so that they could be attached to cords.
"I had these made for you as a parting gift and as talismans of protection. They come apart and can be reunited if you desire." Obaa-san tugged them gently and the foxes separated along with the yin-yang, each taking half of the symbol with them. "You may use these however you see fit. Take good care of them. Masazumi, which one do you feel is yours?"
The older Ishida examined the fox with the yang.
"Then it is decided," Obaa-san said. "Mitsunari, you will accept the yin, if you have no objections?"
He shook his head. The old woman nodded and joined the two charms again before wrapping them back up. She showed them the puzzle on the magic lock and how to open it, placing the charms securely inside before closing the lid. The puzzle scrambled itself before clicking.
The old woman gazed at them. "Kyuunchun departed before sunrise, and has reached your father. The Toyotomi have set up camp further upriver of the spot where the kappa saved you. It will be a long journey but the kappa will be there to guide you. You'd best depart now, though I suppose traveling at night presents no difficulties for you. I will meet you in the courtyard. But first, let me show you a trick."
Turning towards the boxes, she clapped her hands three times and stomped the floor with a foot. The boxes shrunk until they were no larger than a pair of shougi pieces. She picked them up and tucked them into a pouch, which she gave to Masazumi for safekeeping. The brothers eyed the pouch suspiciously.
"No tricks with the pouch, I'm afraid." She cackled. "But it wouldn't do to have anyone see what you are bringing back with you. I do not want anyone to question you about the books. Therefore I decided to enchant the boxes as well so you may carry them anywhere without anyone suspecting a thing."
"Are you that desperate to keep everything a secret?" Masazumi slipped the pouch's cord around his neck.
"Dear boy, you forget that no humans should know of the existence of this forest." The smile faded from her face. "As I said, this is a sanctuary for youkai, a place for weary travelers to rest peacefully. It is my domain and my sacred ground. Humans are not permitted here. My magic barrier surrounds this forest, confounding any human intruder's sense of direction so that they always get lost and end up back outside. To the outside world, we do not and should not exist. I would prefer to keep it that way."
"Then we will fetch our other things and leave."
The brothers returned to their room, but both hesitated. An ache grew in Mitsunari's breast when he understood how much he wanted to stay here and forget about everything, as if by doing so he could reclaim the years of peace he lost and had yearned for.
"There are other ways to live," he said softly. "There are other ways to be happy, even if it's during war."
Masazumi nodded. They did not speak further. The two donned their armour, took their weapons, and left the tranquil room behind them without looking back.
#
In the courtyard, Obaa-san presented them with a bundle of food for their journey and kissed their foreheads. As her lips made contact with his skin, an intense hum of power radiated forth. She did not say anything, but Mitsunari suspected that they had been blessed somehow.
"Those two sparrows who looked after you so well will lead you out of the forest and to the river," she said. "From there, the kappa will take you to the Toyotomi."
"Thank you for everything, Obaa-san," Masazumi said. "We won't forget you. We're happy we could meet you."
"As am I." Her voice quivered, just briefly. "It is a great gift for me to have met my grandchildren."
"Can we ever visit?" Mitsunari asked.
"I do not allow anyone through the barrier. But if it is for you two, I can make an exception. Pass along my greetings to your father, and tell him I wish him good health."
"We will. I'm sure he will be glad to hear from you."
"You'd best be on your way, you two." She wiped her eyes with a finger. "Ah, this reminds me so much of the day Masatsugu and Enma left here together. But I have lived long. Everyone leaves eventually, and it is something I have accepted. Remember that I am always watching over you, wherever you may be. Farewell."
Two sparrows fluttered past them, chirping, and darted towards the trees, flitting about and waiting. The brothers looked over their shoulders only once, before they followed the sparrows out through the gates and into the forest. Mitsunari sensed Obaa-san's eyes on their backs long after they left the moss-covered stone steps behind.
They traveled in silence, moving quickly since they were going downhill, and by midday reached the river. Here, the sparrows trilled a song for them before whizzing away back into the depths of the forest, and Mitsunari was sad to see them go. Sitting at the riverside, they helped themselves to a full meal from their supplies. The same family of kappa poked their heads up from the water and they continued the journey, retracing their steps back to the waterfall.
The kappa leaped upriver easily, but the brothers were forced to climb up the slippery rocks. With their slow and careful approach, they did not suffer any accidents and scrambled onto solid ground at the top.
By now it was mid-afternoon. They stopped for a break before pushing on the long journey upriver. The kappa stayed with them faithfully, and as the sky turned orange they re-entered the gorge and passed the cave they had first taken refuge in. The sight spurred them onwards, for the Toyotomi could not be too far away. Even as the path sloped upwards, covered with rocks, the prospect of going home drove their every step.
Night fell, and though their muscles ached they forced themselves to keep going. The harsh wind once again howled through the gorge, but they remained stubborn. Mitsunari worried that they might not reach the camp before the wind grew unbearable, but as the ground leveled out again, orange lights greeted them in the distance.
The kappa hung back, knowing that their job was done. Mitsunari turned towards them. "Thank you for guiding us all this way. I hope you will be safe and your little ones will grow well."
Masazumi, meanwhile, opened their now-light supply bundle and took out the remaining items—two long, plump cucumbers. Handing one to Mitsunari, they both tossed the cucumbers into the water towards the kappa, who churned about in a frenzy as they seized their favourite treats. They floated back down the river, munching on the pieces of cucumbers, and the parent lifted its head above water and bowed to thank them. Then, they disappeared.
The two raced towards the campfires, the wind making their eyes tear up. Patrolling soldiers sighted them and yelled that the two missing Ishida warriors had returned, safe and sound. Within moments a pack of soldiers spilled out of the tents and one lone figure strode forth to greet the two as they clambered up towards the campsite, his long hair streaming in the wind.
"Otou-sama!" Mitsunari cried, forgetting all sense of decorum and flinging his arms around his father.
They staggered slightly as Masazumi also barreled into them with his own hug.
"I'm so glad that you two are all right," Masatsugu said, his voice trembling. "Oh, I was so worried...but I knew you couldn't be dead."
The soldiers watched the reunion, then returned to their duties, smiling.
"Chichi-ue, we have much to tell you," Masazumi said in a hushed voice, "but that will be for another time when we have more privacy."
"I know. I have a suspicion about where you stayed. It can wait."
"Mitsunari-kun? Masazumi-kun?"
Hanbei did not get the chance to say much else—in the next moment, the brothers snared him in an embrace.
"Stop! Stop it!" The strategist waved his arms and they let go of him, grinning sheepishly as he caught his breath. "Goodness, you were going to squeeze me to death!"
"You look like you haven't slept for a week," Masazumi remarked.
"How could I? I was worried sick about you two! More than your own father!"
"Because I have more faith in them than you," Masatsugu said dryly.
Hanbei shot him a glare. "Where were you two all this time?"
Mitsunari faltered but Masazumi answered swiftly. "When we first regained our senses, we sought refuge in a cave further down the gorge. In the morning we decided to follow the river downstream to find out where we were. We attempted to cut through a forest and stumbled across a very large house. An old woman lived there, and she took us in. We spent some time recovering. She was...somewhat of a psychic and used her power to help us. That's how we knew you were coming to search for us, so we returned here as fast as we could."
"Oh? The woman ought to be rewarded for helping the Toyotomi."
"She was happy enough to have company since she lived alone in that big house for a long time. I think she would only refuse your reward, Hanbei-dono, and she prefers her solitude."
"Fair enough, I suppose. Reward and recognition are not for everyone and I suppose such things are of little use to her. I'm just glad that you two are all right. Hideyoshi will be relieved to hear this." Turning back towards the campfires, he waved a hand. "You must be tired. A tent has already been set up for you. Let's retire for the night, since this cold wind is unbearable."
Mitsunari sneezed. So did Masazumi, a few moments later. Their father glanced at them and shooed them into their tent.