The following weeks drifted by in idyllic tranquility. Mitsunari was reminded of the time he and his brother spent in Obaa-san's sanctuary, where life was reduced to its simplest state and worldly affairs and violence did not exist. Some nights, as he sat on the back porch gazing at the garden, he hoped that the ceaseless fighting would soon come to an end, allowing him and his family the chance to enjoy peace before they grew too old and forgot what it meant to truly live.

During this time, the brothers were fully reacquainted with their former home, and spent their time revisiting old places. Along with their father, they went through some of their mother's belongings, wanting to be closer to her.

All too soon, it was time to return to Osaka, and the family prepared for the journey back. Mitsunari didn't want to leave, but he had his duty to fulfill, and they had been away long enough.

"Otou-sama," he said that evening, "I worry sometimes, about our future. I worry about losing you, or Onii-sama."

"No one can know what lies ahead." Masatsugu rubbed his son's shoulder. "But I have a feeling that you and Masazumi, at least, will lead long lives together. Don't dwell on it, dear son. It's said that thinking about misfortune too much may cause it to actually happen."

Reassured, he nodded.

They had an early start, and the demon horse carried them out of town at a trot. Not many people were up at this hour, save the farmers on the way to the rice fields, who waved goodbye to their lords. Once out of sight of any other humans, the demon horse picked up speed and raced along. Masazumi was already complaining about having to spend a couple days on the road. Mitsunari simply rolled his eyes and ignored him.

As the city of Osaka and its grand castle peeled into view over the horizon, a spark of warmth stirred in Mitsunari's chest. To him, Osaka was also home, and now that they were back, he was glad.

It was late afternoon by the time they settled back into their quarters, and after freshening up, Mitsunari searched for his friends. Yoshitsugu sat in his room enjoying tea, and was pleasantly surprised when the Ishida warrior dropped by to visit.

"I am happy to see you, my friend," the strategist said. "It has been rather lonely without you, I admit."

"If anyone mistreated you..."

Yoshitsugu chuckled and waved a hand. "No, all was well. You needn't go about searching for people to punish. What, has a vacation caused your foul temper to multiply?"

Mitsunari shot him a mock glare. "Has anything important happened while I was away?"

"No. Takenaka kept true to his word and it has been quite peaceful here. I think it is good for the soldiers to rest and relax once in a while. He did, however, send Ieyasu and I westwards with a scouting unit to gather some more intelligence on the Mouri. We did not engage, only to collect information on their current movements."

"Do they pose a threat, then?"

"No, not at the moment. However, they did gain some more territory in the Chugoku region, and currently they are dealing with resistance from some of the larger clans. It is only a matter of time before they seize total control. But come, you have just returned, and it's hardly appropriate to speak of business so soon. Tell me about your trip."

Mitsunari told him about the healthy town and its castle, although he omitted the parts about his ancestors.

"It must have been a relief for you to know that the castle was untouched," Yoshitsugu said.

"Yes, we were so happy. When I stepped into the room I had as a child, everything was still as we left it that day. It was the strangest feeling. It feels like only yesterday that we left there as children."

"Time does pass quickly."

"I got this for you." Mitsunari placed the box on the table and slid it across.

The colourless eyes widened slightly. "A gift?"

Remaining silent, the Ishida warrior waited as his friend untied the box and opened it, lifting out the jade orb on its stand. Admiring the flawless stone and its rich, deep green hues and creamy whites, the bandages covering Yoshitsugu's mouth shifted.

"It's beautiful, and the workmanship is splendid," he said. "Thank you, Mitsunari. I shall put this where I can see it most easily."

"I'm glad you like it so much. It reminded me of your beads."

The friends chatted a bit more, before Mitsunari inquired about Ieyasu's location.

"Either lazing about in the gardens or socializing in the barracks," Yoshitsugu said. "He never runs out of energy, that one."

Rolling his eyes, Mitsunari rose. "I'll find him one way or another."

"I'm surprised that you warmed up to him. When you first met, the only thing you wanted to do was kill him."

"He may be foolish. But he is genuine in his friendship."

"I must agree. During the time I spent with him, he treated me kindly and was not afraid to be near me. You are right. He may be a fool, but he is a good man."

Mitsunari bade his friend goodbye and began his search for Ieyasu in the gardens, the omamori charm tucked securely in his palm. Not finding the man, he tried the barracks. The soldiers milling about in the training courtyard told him Ieyasu was resting in his room, and bowed out of the way as the Ishida warrior stalked past.

To this day he still never liked being inside the barracks. There was such a high volume of people, and during times of peace the rowdy soldiers made too much noise. Ignoring them all, he went upstairs where the men with some degree of rank dwelled, lucky to have their own rooms.

Locating Ieyasu's room, he grabbed the door and yanked it open—forgetting all sense of decorum in his irritation.

Ieyasu, at his desk, jumped and turned. "Mitsunari-dono?"

"I-I apologize," Mitsunari mumbled. "I should have knocked."

"It's fine, but if I knew you were coming here, I would have cleaned up a little. Please excuse all the papers lying around."

The Ishida warrior was about to respond when cheering welled up from below, and he scowled.

Ieyasu got up. "Would you like to go someplace that's both tidier and quieter?"

"That would be preferred."

"Have you ever gone to the hill overlooking the city, a short walk from the castle?"

"Often, actually. It is a good enough place." Without waiting, Mitsunari swished out the door, his companion racing to catch up.

Strangely, Ieyasu remained silent during the entire walk outside of the castle grounds to the hills overlooking the city. But it was the way Mitsunari would have preferred it. Perhaps the other man had deduced this and chose to accommodate him.

They picked a spot not too far away with a decent view and sat on the grass.

Ieyasu stretched. "Feel that breeze! It would be pleasant to come here more often."

"I take it you don't like being shut away in that dingy little room?"

"Ha! I wouldn't call it dingy, as it's comfortable enough, but sometimes it's good to go outside and get some fresh air. And no, the courtyard doesn't count," he added upon seeing Mitsunari's mouth open.

"We may not be fighting right now, but there is still work to be done!"

"Says the one who went away for three weeks."

Unable to think of a retort, he hissed and dug out the omamori, holding it out. "Here, just take it."

Ieyasu stared at his outstretched hand and the small wrapped packet on it, then burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Mitsunari's cheeks burned. "Take it before I decide to shove it down your throat instead!"

"All right, all right." Snagging the packet, the other man peeled off the wrapping paper, still chuckling. "I just wasn't expecting a gift from you, of all people. Not to mention you got to the point straight away!"

Mitsunari greatly disliked Ieyasu's ability to reduce him to growling in annoyance.

Turning the charm over in his hand, the Tokugawa leader examined it closely, despite it being such a simple object. Then, as expected, he gave his companion a big smile. "I like it very much. The colours are a nice match, uncannily so."

"It stood out to me for that reason."

"I'll certainly put it to good use. So? Was everything all right at your hometown?"

So Mitsunari told him what he'd told Yoshitsugu previously.

"I'm glad that the castle is still standing," Ieyasu said. "Though, it sounds almost miraculous that it survived while the rest of the town was destroyed."

"My father suggested that it might have been some kind of divine protection," Mitsunari said carefully. "Considering the circumstances, I believe him."

"As do I. Even pure luck would have its limits. Having your home destroyed is a terrible thing, and no one should have to go through that."

"And you? Do you ever get homesick?"

"In the past. But I'm so used to being away now that I don't mind so much anymore. Maybe someday when there is no more fighting, I'll show you around further east."

Mitsunari glanced at him obliquely. "Do you still believe in unifying the country through so-called bonds?"

"Of course. Wouldn't you agree that only kindness can move the hearts of men? Killing only brings more resentment. It is a never-ending cycle of revenge."

He was right, naturally. Crushing a few more rebel armies here and there only fanned the flames sometimes, instead of putting them out entirely. But by now, there wasn't a man in the country who hadn't heard of the sheer might of the Toyotomi, and only the most foolhardy dared take up arms against them.

"If we could fight with diplomacy alone, there wouldn't be such a thing as war right now," Mitsunari said. "We aren't the only ones engaged in battle. All across the land, men are fighting. When they won't listen to reason, the one who is strongest will always prevail."

"A conqueror can always be overthrown. You need look no further than the Demon King's example to understand that."

He'd considered that possibility, that even after the Toyotomi's unification of the country, there would be schemers. Vigilance was a necessity, even during an era of peace. But suppose they used Ieyasu's tactics—was there even a significant difference? Whether by sword or by words, any ruler faced treachery.

However, it would certainly reduce the number of lives lost, and the number of battles needed.

Ieyasu chuckled. "I know we're never going to see eye-to-eye about that. But it's all right. I don't mind and I'm not going to let it interfere with anything."

Mitsunari wanted to tell him, to say that perhaps he could accept the idea that diplomacy made just as effective a tool as crushing power. Discouraged, he kept silent. Maybe some other time, then.

"Perhaps we should head back," he said instead. "Your paperwork isn't going to finish itself, and I haven't spoken to Hanbei-sama since I returned. It was not very tactful of me."

"No surprises there! You did throw open my door without so much of a warning."

The Ishida warrior gave him a death glare, but the other man simply laughed. Together, they returned to the castle and without thinking, Mitsunari walked his companion back to the barracks and saw him off. It was only after he turned and headed for the lords' residence that he realized what he had done. Confound that Ieyasu! His cheerful and amiable disposition were too infectious!