Masamune and River appeared where Aladar was Masamune looked around "Aladar!" Masamune said leaving River where she was and moved around the traps to Aladar "It's okay Aladar i'm here. where's Kojūrō" Masamune said crouching down to get the trap off of Aldar. Aladar snorted, as if responding 'i don't know!'. River wandered carefully over to try and comfort her stablemate. "Be careful River" Masamune said picking up some twigs to set off the other traps around them. Aladar seemed to calm down with the presence of River, and nuzzled her as he worried over the state of his lifelong rider. Masamune sprung the traps in the area "We should be good now" Masamune said looking around seeing something shine and looked over at it. Aladar snorted walking over and kicking the trap around to free the shiny thing. The trap cracked open, and out fell Kojūrō's familiar swords. Masamune widened his eye and ran over to the trap picking up the swords and looking at them. Aladar whinnied at the sight of the swords and laid his ears back in anger of his rider abandoning him apparently. Masamune noticed the angered state of Aladar. "He wouldn't abandon you Aladar." Masamune said walking over to River. Aladar wasn't comforted, and remained angry as he kicked everything in sight. "ALADAR, Calm down" Masamune commanded. Aladar refused, being unused to being given commands by anyone but Kojūrō. Masamune looked at Aladar after making sure that Kojūrō's katana's were secured on Rivers saddle. "You can rage here but I am going to go find Kojūrō, your rider. I know that he wouldn't leave you when he probably first used these traps to lure me here and then something happened." Masamune said his commanding voice died down to a soft yet worried tone. Aladar snorted as if saying 'fine!' and ran off to go back to the castle. Masamune looked at River "We have to find Kojūrō, okay River but we have to get our cargo to the castle first. I know Kojūrō won't give up" Masamune said worried. River apparently agreed as she started off in the direction Aladar had run off in. Masamune ran behind her keeping a look out. River made sure to dodge the rest of the traps on the path as they headed back to the castle. Up ahead Aladar had apparently already caused a panic in the village as he returned without his rider.
"Lord Masamune? What happened to Master Katakura?" one soldier asked, looking fearful. "I don't know. I need two search parties as fast as possible" Masamune said running towards the stables to follow River. "Right away sir!" the soldier saluted and ran off to find soldiers willing to look for their dear Commander Katakura. Masamune caught up to River and petted her then looked at Aladar "Don't worry we'll have him back in no time, Aladar" Masamune said trying to comfort the horse. Aladar snorted in anger, clearly true to the belief that he had been abandoned after spending his whole life serving Kojūrō. Masamune sighed at the stubborn horse and then looked back at River and opened the bag to reveal four very awake and shaken up kittens. They all looked up at him mewing for comfort after the rough ride to their new home. Masamune smiled at the kittens and picked one up at a time holding them close and started to walk to the castle and waved a goodbye to the horses. The kittens clung terrified to his armor. Masamune walked back to his room as much as he wanted to run he knew the kittens wouldn't like a bumpy ride from him as well. The servants passing looked surprised and a few 'awed' at having a whole new set of residents. Masamune opened his door and sat the kittens on his bed petting each other there heads. "I must inform Lord Shingen about being late on the search and that something else important had popped up. Oh I hope Lord Kenshin doesn't decide to come today." Masamune whined. The kittens were oblivious to his distress and wandered the bed. Masamune shuffled papers around on his desk and picked up writing utensils from a drawer and a clean piece of paper. The kittens heard the familiar sound of paper and writing, and ran over to see what was happening. Masamune wrote kind of sloppy as he was in a hurry 'Lord Shingen I'm so sorry for being late to even start the search but I have to inform you that at this moment I can't fulfill my side something has popped up that Is even more urgent I will continue on my part as soon as I am able to. If need be I will allow only Yukimura or you to search on my land signed Date Masamune.' Masamune let out a sigh as he finished the letter and briefly wondered who would take Kojūrō. 'Who would Kojūrō have enough bad history with , or be mad at him?' Masamune sighed "Servant!" He called out his door.
There was running outside his door, and a servant came, looking worried as apparently they'd heard the news that Kojūrō was missing. "Yes sir?" Masamune looked serious "Take this letter to the messenger and tell him to bring it to Kia and only to Sanada Genjiro Yukimura or Takeda Shingen. " Masamune said handing over the letter.
"Of course." The servant bowed and took the letter, running away down the hall. Masamune sighed and looked at the kitten's "Wish I had time to get to know you guys better but I gotta run" Masamune said putting the kittens on the ground and closing the door. Masamune sighed, already feeling the absence of Kojūrō. 'Who knew i'd actually miss Kojūrō scolding me.'