A/N: Sorry for the super long delay! I've got a heavy writer's slump+ writer's block for this story. But eventually after some coercion from my mind, I know I have to finish this.
This chapter will act as a filler before the Kyuushuu Arc.
Anyway, to answer the reviews:
RosyMiranto18: I'll answer the questions later since it's been a while. I'll reply to the chapter review instead.
About the egao: Well, it's just something I picked from another fics I read. Sometimes putting a little Japanese word can be counted as a way to decorate, but of course it could be an annoyance for one part.
Yeah, I'm practically not sure about the Oosaka and Hamamatsu thing. I had to research deeper onto that since I'm not actually familiar with it. It's not because of Hayakawa that she stays there, but it was rather of her own choice. She was still under Hideyoshi despite her retirement, and that's practically how I see it. But I'll try to find something a bit logical to answer that.
The second part, I guess. Yuu never knew about Hana's lineage. He has to be sensitive, especially when he had been around Chie for some time then.
Well, he had to refer that name, but probably not in front of everyone. Embarrassment is still common for a young man like him XD.
Onsen execution…hahaha…though I don't think he is that disgraceful to do that. But keep dreaming there XD.
About Izumi vs Nagachika: Yep, you're right. Izumi doesn't duel Nagachika. However Nagachika would eventually use the expression for another reason in this chapter.
The rest of the review response had been sent by PM. So Thanks for the review!
Scarlet 'n Blossom: Yep, like Takatora and his sarcasms. It really defines him.
Ah, I didn't see that interaction between Takatora and Yoshitsugu! I have to check it, it must be hilarious!
It's okay, it was actually appropriate in my chapter because in my case, Hana still had doubts and rejections on her, and was still recovering from the shock. In your story's case, however, they met happily, so the talk by Nagachika was not needed.
And don't worry, you're not the only one liking to tease Chie and Yuu. In fact, look at what happened in this chapter!
Thanks for the review!
Well then, here's the newest chapter!
Chapter 29: The Nights of Eccedentesiasts
(Eccedentesiast is a term referring to people who like to hide their pain and suffering behind a smile)
Moments had passed quite quickly for everyone under Hideyoshi's Banner. Not long after all that commotion, Hideyoshi had decided to continue his conquest. Triggered by the attacks from the Shimazu clan against the Tachibana clan, Hideyoshi, on behalf of the request from the Ootomo clan, decided to aid the Tachibana on assistance mission in Kyuushuu. And as usual, to intimidate his enemies with his sheer force, he didn't even hesitant to deploy a large number of troops, including his best officers and allies.
The young prodigies of Hideyoshi had been preparing themselves, and so do the representatives from the other forces.
Three days after the refreshment day (for the ladies), Hana was re-introduced to Izumi Mori, to annihilate the frictions the two have been having. It has been three years passed, Nagachika forgave Izumi for everything she had done, but he had to make sure Hana did too. They were allies now, and he had to ensure that Hana had faith in the older lady.
Especially after he told her his plan, involving their children too.
"Still, Nagachika, why didn't you tell me that Tadayasu and Natsuka are going to be sent here?" Hana asked. "I'm their mother, so I have the right to know."
"I'm sorry, Hana." Nagachika said. "I'm just a bit afraid. After all of that commotion with Hayakawa-dono, I still thought that the ties between you and her are still weak."
"How is that related to our kids coming here?"
"Uh…how should I say this…" Nagachika thought for a moment. "Takakage-sama, after confirming that we had met Hayakawa-dono, had thought of a possibility about how our life will go from this time on. I don't like telling this to you but I know you'll be that hard-headed to force me to tell you."
"Hey!" Hana growled in annoyance as she playfully hit Nagachika's shoulder.
"Listen, after Hideyoshi conquered Shikoku, Takakage-sama had eventually found out Hideyoshi's grand plan: to continue the legacy of Nobunaga and unify the land."
"Then?"
"And now, Hideyoshi had decided to send forces to Kyuushuu, which, I believe, is the same consequence of the plan."
"Right, so?"
"If I'm not wrong, that means after we conquered Kyuushuu, Hideyoshi will finally be taking on the remaining family that hasn't yielded to him yet. And that's the Houjou family."
"Then, what's with the Houjou family?"
Nagachika sighed. He wasn't sure about this. But he had to tell his assumptions too at one time.
"Hana, Houjou family is where Hayakawa-dono resided, and because you're technically her daughter, you have the blood of Houjou inside you too. I am not entirely sure about this but Takakage-sama probably had thought that far. I believe sending our children here has something to do with it. About what exactly, I didn't know."
"…" Hana slumped. Among all the deranging causes, her family was now entangled with something out of her control. She understood how her father, her husband, and her (real) mother had felt. She was so shocked about the truth back then in Hakusanmori. But now, having known about that, she actually felt grateful that she had known this at this time. Had they not met at that time, and if all Nagachika said was true, she knew how heavy the blow to her father, her husband, and most importantly, herself, was.
Still, she needed time to accept everything. After all, something so dire hidden from her for more than thirty years is something equally mysterious than the value of life itself. It really felt like her life had changed deliberately, and yet it just happened at one single time.
Being an adult, she knew she had to accept it with relief, and she had no time to cry over a spilled milk, on in this case, her fading old life.
No, scratch that. Her old life is not fading.
Not while she still had people caring so much for her.
They are, instead of fading, being renewed. Before, it's just her and her family, then her own little family with Nagachika, and then the Kimura siblings, Suzu, and Takatora, and many other, and now a potential expansion for her actual family.
They did not let her old life vanish, instead, they had re-embellish it in such a way, and she should be happy for that.
She had to move forward, accept everything, and to continue living with the new profound facts intruding on her.
She knew, regretting everything is not the correct answer.
"Hana…" She turned to see Nagachika on a very close proximity with her, his face had shown a very visible smile, although she knew what was hidden behind it. No matter how she looked at him too many times, and the years they had been spending together, she always knew that her husband is always an eccedentesiast: He'll keep smiling to hide all his pain. Despite it being so pathetic, Hana knew that in this state where battles are very imminent, sometimes being eccedentesiastic was one way to relieve everyone, not to be affected by your own sour mood.
"I know, you didn't have to say it again out loud." Hana replied, smile slowly returned to her face, copying her husband, being an eccedentesiast herself. Despite the pain it urged, at least she wouldn't let the pain be shared to everybody else around her. "Then, while there's still time, I really would like to enjoy our time again, with Tadayasu and Natsuka."
"I planned to do the same." Nagachika said, now closing the distance between them on a soft, quick peck before getting up. "Let's take a rest. Our children should arrive tomorrow morning."
"Hai." Hana nodded before walking together with Nagachika back to their camp, arms locked onto each other.
From afar, Izumi just watched the two not-so-young couples walking with such affection, smiling with a little sweatdrop.
'Nagachika, you are a natural womanizer…just like your father-in-law.'
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
The next day, Hana and Nagachika got up and decided to proceed towards the port near the city where the camp had been set up. If there were nothing wrong, Tadayasu and Natsuka would have been arriving in just a few moments.
Though as they walked, they suddenly saw one of their friends walking out from one of the tents with a very grumpy look, as if 'pissed' being an understatement. Nagachika knew he would always be like that, but still, his curiosity got the better of him.
He knew, however, talking with Takatora Toudou while he was in that state was equivalent to asking for death. Thus instead, he decided to go inside the tent, where apparently one of their younger friends happened to be inside.
"Hey, Nagachika, what are you doing?" Hana said. "What happened to going to the port to meet our children?"
"It's okay, I just wanted to talk a little about something. After that we will continue our way to the port." Nagachika said, before eventually approaching the older Kimura sibling.
"N-Nagachika-dono."
"Hello, Aki Kimura." Nagachika greeted. "You didn't seem like in a good mood today, and recently I also met a certain someone coming out from the tent angrily." Nagachika said in a concerned tone. "May I ask about what actually happened between the two of you?"
Aki seemed like he was reluctant to answer. After all, it was a topic that is very sensitive to be discussed with. One question and you can actually transform your allies into a potential enemy in an instant.
One question, one sentence…no…even one topic.
Loyalty.
Even despite Nagachika's calm attitude, it was not impossible that this topic can change him nevertheless.
"That's actually nothing to do with me, or rather, I wasn't trying to be involved." Aki said. "Takatora's having a little issue with some of our friends regarding a certain topic."
"A certain topic?" Nagachika asked.
"Well, I wanted to ask a question to you. You didn't have to answer if you didn't want to." Aki said. His body was actually trembling, because he had a potential to lighten a new fire between the three of them. "What do you think of Ieyasu Tokugawa?"
"Are we talking about the commander of our enemy at Komaki-Nagakute and the same one that had allied with Hideyoshi now?" Nagachika said, followed by a nod from the younger man. "To be honest, that man is practically one exceptional talent himself. His influence to his retainers and people are such far more than lacking, and, if you want to get my opinion, I have a gut feeling that his talent has a potential to surpass Hideyoshi's."
Aki frowned. That answer was very dangerous if it wasn't worded carefully. It was so clear that Nagachika regarded Ieyasu highly, but different from Takatora, his regard was explained in such detail of admiration and was explained blatantly, unlike Takatora, who was being evasive.
"So, would you think that Ieyasu might turn his back on Hideyoshi-sama?" Aki asked, shocking Nagachika with that blatant question.
Nagachika instantly knew his purpose with the question. If this was his real question, then the problem that emerged between Aki and Takatora might be closely related to this. In fact, it might be the reason all along.
"I am neither a strategist nor a fortuneteller, Aki." Nagachika said. "Yet, it is not impossible knowing Ieyasu's influence. But if he decided to turn his back now, then he knew he was making the wrong move." Nagachika said. "For now, the alliance has been sealed and under Hideyoshi was not only Ieyasu, but many other kashin as well. So, I could actually say that Ieyasu might probably not turn his back on Hideyoshi, at least, not until the seal was broken."
"What do you mean?"
"One thing, Aki, it comes up onto the unifier of the force himself. As long as he was in the picture, I could assure you that no one dared to go against him." Nagachika said.
Aki was still unsatisfied with the answer, but eventually he couldn't force more answers coming from the man in front of him. Though, he felt like he was going to regret his decision to ask.
"Well then, I need to go, Aki. I need to go to the port to greet my children."
"Wait, children?" Aki said.
"What's the surprise?" Nagachika said. "I had been married to Hana for long and our ages were old enough to have a child or two, weren't they?"
"But you never mentioned that you had one."
"Well, you never asked, and I'm not going to involve them in this conquest." Nagachika said. "It was, however, my father-in-law's decision to send them here. And since he was known as a strategist, his decision might actually give you a hint on your previous questions." Nagachika said, taking Hana's hand and turned onto the entrance/exit of the tent. "Please excuse us."
The two then left, leaving Aki dumbfounded as he tried to collect his thoughts on the matter.
He was a strategist, his decision might actually give you a hint on your previous questions.
He should be referring to the Mouri family, and with the in-law status, it would be the Kobayakawa strategist…
Since he was a part of the Mouri, which is allied under Hideyoshi, the sending of Nagachika's children was nothing out of the ordinary, but at the same time, is pretty much confusing.
Why was Takakage sending Nagachika's children to their parents while their parents didn't want to involve them?
And how did it relate to Ieyasu and Hideyoshi?
He didn't know, he was actually missing one important piece of the puzzle, and until it was found, he would never find any correlation between them.
-Port—
After a while, Hana and Nagachika finally reached the port, where eventually one boat has been anchored under the banner of Mouri. On the pier was two young children, which they really could recognize very easily.
"Tadayasu! Natsuka!" Hana quickly called the two from afar, catching attention from the two youngsters quickly.
"Dad! Mom!" Natsuka quickly ran towards the two, eventually reaching Hana before hugging her tightly, embracing the warmth that the young girl really had missed. The older young Nomi just followed his sister casually, along with one other person that they never expected to come.
"Tadayasu and…Hi-Hiroie-san?" Nagachika said.
"What's with the surprised look? Are you not expecting me at all?" Hiroie smirked.
"No, that's not it, but…I never knew that their escort would be you since, well, you're supposed to be preparing your troops for another possible conquest.
"Yeah, I know. Takakage-sama already explained to us. That's why I won't take long, I'll probably stay for a few days." Hiroie replied. "I'm here because of some reasons, one of them is to talk to Chie. Is she around?"
"Knowing her, she might be on her camp, or maybe was around the city, probably alongside some other friend I know." Nagachika replied.
"You might want to say boyfriend, Nagachika." Hana smirked.
"Eh? Chie has…" Hiroie was a bit surprised, but he was cut off by Nagachika.
"Not yet. Even though we suspected as such. But, why did you want to meet her?"
Hiroie stayed silent, his face frowning. "Or maybe it is not a good idea…"
"What do you mean, Hiroie-san?" Hana replied.
Hiroie sourly smiled, or at least forcing himself to. Nagachika and Hana both knew something was up with Hiroie's sad face. Eventually, he spoke up.
"Our father, Motoharu Kikkawa, succumbed to illness…"
The news saddened the couple. Hana was struck with both sadness and concern. She was so nervous on how Chie will react. After all, despite being adopted, Chie grew up alongside her foster father and had been pretty close to him, despite her muteness and his overprotective nature.
"I…I'm sorry to hear that." Nagachika said.
"I felt the same." Hana said. "But, why should we tell Chie about this? Wouldn't it be wise not to tell her directly?"
"On the contrary, it's wiser to tell her." Tadayasu suddenly chirped, startling the two. "Isn't that almost the case for Mom? When Mom suddenly find out about your lineage, Mom's reaction was devastating enough, wasn't it?"
"Eh? Tadayasu, what do you mean by devastating?"
"Oh, come on, that long drama on the palace garden…seriously…" Tadayasu sighed. "I think the same will occur for aunt Chie too. If she found out much later, won't she feel the same like how mother feel back then?"
Hana sweatdropped, although her son's logic was very…very right. She had thought about this earlier. She knew finding out about her secret late on her life was pretty much devastating, and the same might happen to Chie too. Why didn't this cross her mind?
Nagachika, however, shows a face of proudness towards his son. He really started to think that his son was taking resemblance on his genius grandfather. Well, considering he grew up mostly with him then it won't be a surprise.
"So, Hiroie-san, are you going to meet Chie now? We can escort you there if you like, but I think we have to tell Hideyoshi-sama first, ensuring safety."
Hiroie confirmed, and all of them made haste to Hideyoshi's camp, where introductions and purpose are being made, and then to Chie's tent, where the said young lady was there, alone.
As they entered, Chie noticed her half-brother coming, and greeted him along with the little Nomi family. Then came the hard part.
Despite being closely related to the Kikkawa's, Nagachika told Hana not to meddle in the two's affairs. And truly said when Hiroie told her about Motoharu's death, Chie couldn't help but to cry her eyes out, sobbing almost silently, leaning onto Hiroie's chest for comfort. Apparently despite her muteness, her cries could be heard to the camps surrounding her, and somehow, it invited another guest.
"Chie, what hap…"
"Shh! Nagachika quickly put his hand on the guest's mouth, silencing him in an instant. "Don't say anything. Let the two of them have their time."
Thus, the figure, apparently it turned out to be Yuu, could only watch as Chie continued to cry and sob while leaning on the shoulder of her brother.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
After calming down, Chie practically welcomed everyone else, practically to Hana.
"Thanks for telling me, and sorry for the outburst." Chie signed. To Chie's surprise, Hana also signed back instead of casually talking to her cousin.
"It's not a big deal. At least everything's sorted out. I'm sorry for the loss, though."
Hiroie's eyes then darted to the other person besides his family. "Ah…I think I remember you…aren't you fighting in Shikoku together with my sister?"
"Yes, you're right, Kikkawa Hiroie-san." Yuu replied. "Though, if you don't mind me asking, may I ask why Chie suddenly cried?
Instead of Hiroie, however, it was Tadayasu who explained to him. The black-haired young man was surprised not only to see the two children, and also to hear the news.
"I…I'm really sorry to hear that." Yuu frowned. "My deep condolences for your family."
"It's okay, Irobe-san." Hana replied.
"Oh, by the way, I had never seen these two young children before…"
"Of course, we haven't introduced them to you yet." Nagachika replied. "This is Tadayasu Nomi, our son, and his sister, Natsuka Nomi. Yasu, Tsuka, this is Yuukita Irobe, our ally from the Uesugi, and the one who helped taking care of aunt Chie."
"Taking care, hm." Yasu smirked. "But, that means we have to say our gratitude to help our aunt, then."
"You're right, Yasu ani-ue." Tsuka added. "So, thank you so much, uncle Yuu!"
"U…Uncle Yuu?" Yuu was shocked.
"What's wrong? You don't like it?" Hana smirked. "You will soon enough be marrying Chie so maybe they can start calling you by uncle…"
"Hey! I haven't even confessed to her!" Yuu said with a blush.
"Yes, you haven't even confessed to her…yet." Nagachika followed his family, smirking. Chie, hearing that, also blushed deeply, which didn't go unnoticed by the younger Nomi boy.
'Oh well…maybe it won't hurt to start calling him with uncle.' Yasu giggled while thinking.
"Oh, come on, stop it!"
And so, the laughs and the family warmth were spread all day long for a few days, one thing that Hana and Nagachika knew, was this moment was the miraculous respite that they will need in the warring period.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Kobayakawa-dono, Nomi-sama, I would like to report a summon from Hideyoshi." The messenger said. "Four days from now, Hideyoshi wanted to summon everyone for another conquest. Please be there on time."
The news of course surprised Hana, because she was…in fact…oblivious of any news regarding Hideyoshi's battles. She usually just knew it from Nagachika. Nagachika, and surprisingly Tadayasu as well, was not even flinching, as if they had expected this to happen.
"So, it's time to go to battle again, don't you?" Tadayasu said.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, Tadayasu, for not spending too much time with the two of you." Hana said.
"It's okay, Mom, Dad. We'll be waiting here for you." Tsuka replied. "I knew Mom and Dad could do it."
"I'm sure we will." Nagachika said. "Be a good boy and girl and don't burden your caretaker, okay?"
"Caretaker?"
"We'll going to meet her after this. I must say to you, you don't want to mess up with her. She is so strong and scary that she could almost defeat your Mom and I when we're engaged in battle." Nagachika warned, sending shivers down to his children.
"Hey, don't scare them, Nagachika."
"I'm just warning them to be good children."
"Okay, I understand, Dad." Tadayasu replied.
Thus, later, the children were introduced to Izumi, in which the latter was surprised to see the children, especially the girl, who reminded her to Hayakawa when she was young, only with different eye color and hairstyle. And four days later, it would have been the beginning of the fated days between Hideyoshi and the residents of Kyuushuu Island…
In a fierce battle, Hideyoshi have succeeded in his conquest of Shikoku, with the help of his retainers.
Having subdued the Shikoku region, his eyes fell onto the next target of the renowned Kyuushuu Island. Using the opportunity in form of opposing battles between the Shimazu and Tachibana, Hideyoshi decided to ally himself with the Tachibana and prepared his conquest.
Among his ranks were Shinhana and her husband Nagachika, who used to have a bad term with Jouun Takahashi, but hearing the death of him, and about the alliance, they knew they have to make amends.
Thus, with the renewed resolve and to make amends with the Tachibana Clan, Shinhana stepped into the Battle, taking part of the conquest as well as giving their best support to the Tachibana Clan, out of respect for their old nemesis.
The Forbidden Girl-
Battle 6- Conquest of Kyuushuu
A/N: And from here lies one of the key battles of this story. To be honest, I had forgotten most of my plot so I have to rethink of an alternate plot. That's why I'm sorry if some terms don't make sense.
I do also think that I should slip a bonus chapter or a companion fic to this story, especially at the four-day gap there, maybe some little family fluff on what is happening in those days. I planned to write them but I haven't got the ideas.
Two or three battles to go, at least 10-14 chapters left. Hopefully I can finish this as quick as possible. I still have two other stories to finish too, and also my studies at the university…Duh, it really burns my brain…
Sorry if it is rushed. I was forcing myself despite having not many ideas for this story.
Please R&R! No Flames please. Thank you and see you soon!
Kage