Date groaned, stirring half-awake for a moment. Saki smiled, working on the bandages, using the small, clipped, stretching movement to move his arm a bit, continuing the wrapping, slipping his damp hair away from the face afterwards, noticing that the blue eye was misty but open. He was not fully aware of what surrounded him, blinded by pain and a hint of fever but being conscious was good enough for the time being. Despite the traveling conditions and constant motion the wounds were closing and showed no signs of infection. Whether it was due to his constitution, luck or the medicine it would be anyone's guess.
The shinobi sighed, sitting back, examining her work for a last time before pulling the covers over him, steadying herself for a moment before looking around, at the small and secluded camp they had been able to make. They were finally away from Matsunaga's territory and the warlord was no threat now they were in a secure niche in the mountains, half inside Echigo. She would have to leave soon and meet with the War God of Echigo and get him to understand their situation, to let them pass through the territory without having to attack or defend themselves.
Katakura-dono was recovering too, brought down by exhaustion and standing up again by sheer stubbornness, sitting near a fire, leaning forward, looking grim. The men were scattered around tired and relieved, the one that had been struggling to move forward resting. Saki joined the Right Eye, sighing again, dizzied by exhaustion. Rest… just for a moment…
"You could have returned to Oshu." Kojuro said, noticing her arrival. After that forced march he had to ease up on the men, give them at least a day's rest.
"Meaning?" He glanced at her. Saki sighed. Might as well make something very clear. Kunoichi had a vast array of skills to deal with the particulars of her situation. "My mother went into battle seven months pregnant with me. There is no need to worry any more or any less."
Sunrise caught her asleep, as most of the camp, bundled up under Katakura-dono's jacket. The shinobi sat up slowly, muffling a groan, standing and returning the piece of clothing to its owner, containing the urge that every morning seem to drag. With some luck and after the feeling of sickness had passed, the army would be free to move once more.
Uesugi Kenshin was not unreasonable and with pressure on him and his borders it was somewhat easy to convince him to allow passage without needing much negotiation or any help from Kasuga or other kinds of trickery. Still one should be wary of a ruse or trap as it had been done with the Maedas when they retreated from Echigo in the Toyotomi conflict.
It was an easy walk through the War God's lands despite the wary atmosphere. His only demand had been that they crossed the terrain and abandoned his territory within three days. Invigorated by last night's rest neither Katakura-dono, nor Saki nor the army whose spirits were picking up a bit saw any problem with rushing and pushing through. The coming winter and its fickle weather would be more of a challenge if it chose to stir.
(guess who had tests... sorry about the shorty)