Il Cielo dei Tre Regni
by Lunar Wave
Disclaimer: This story borrows the setting and characters of the Koihime†Musou series and borrows multiple elements from Katekyo Hitman Reborn. I own neither series as they both belong to their respective owners. Also, considering Koihime†Musou could be considered a fanfic of the Three Kingdoms, I'd like to say I don't own anything related to the stories of the Three Kingdoms.
-()-
Lost Homes
-()-
Soukou Shiren silently contemplated her stay there in that jail cell. From what she could tell, it's been a few days at least. She lost track as she always just either slept or ate. Naturally, she tried to leverage the situation by demanding luxury food, but that got nowhere and she's been told that whatever she gets is the best they got at the time. There's an air of something among the people who visited her, but her coaxing's done nothing. But she eventually did do one thing that she wasn't entirely sure is a good thing or not. She managed to annoy so many people that they had requested her to be bound and gagged whenever possible. After that, the only ones she's seen are Kan'u and Chouun, who were both quiet when they did.
"This really wouldn't be a thing if you didn't actively insult each and every soldier who visited."
"Like I care?" Soukou scoffed, as she gingerly ate the soup she was given.
"You probably should eat quicker if you still want the food to be hot by the time you're done."
"Unfortunately for you, but I have a refined palate, and eating this might ruin it."
"It still would taste better if you ate it hot."
Soukou has half a mind to throw the bowl at him, but she already did that twice yesterday and wound up being denied food. It's much easier to sleep and ignore everyone if she's not doing it while her stomach is complaining. Despite it all, she needs to eat.
"Huh? Oh, you can throw that bowl at me if you want. You'll still get food later for dinner, but it'll be spoonfed. We're not trying to starve you."
All she can do is glare at him for that. She really didn't know how the hell he can read her like an open book.
"It's not like you're hiding your contempt for me."
"You still haven't let me go."
"And we still haven't got word from our informants that Sousou has indeed gone home."
"You're going to be pedantic like that? By now they should be at least at the bounds of their territory!" That's as good as home as she could think. "Hey, are you listening to me, Sawada!?"
"…" Sawada Kazuto Hongou looked blankly at her. Indeed, it's been more than a few days since her imprisonment. It's been relatively uncomfortable, since she's been in a jailcell the entire time, and she has no idea how many days has gone by at this point since she's slept quite a lot.
"Hey, say something." It's been the first conversation she had in what felt like a week. Neither Kan'u nor Chouun had given her much besides just handing her the food and then leaning down the cell.
He continued for a bit more, before sighing, and grabbing something from inside his open jacket.
"… I lied. I do have some info about Sousou's whereabouts… and that's why I'm the one who gave you food today and not Aisha or Sei." He pulled out a scroll, "This arrived this morning."
"… What does it say?" Soukou asked, recognizing the scroll as one from her camp.
"Finish the soup," Kazuto ordered her.
"No."
"Then you don't get to know what's inside. Despite everything, it's a letter for our camp, not you."
"Why can't you just tell me? You clearly want to tell me." Soukou asked in frustration, as she picked up her bowl again, and started… not gobbling, but eating quicker.
"Let's just say this isn't something I'd like to tell you with an empty stomach. Because I have the sneaking suspicion you're going to choose not to eat dinner later when you do."
"… Fine." And the two set in uncomfortable silence, as Soukou ate. Eventually, she got fed up by it and turned to him, "… It's rude to stare."
"It's not often I get to see someone of your appearance gobble down food. It's honestly pretty cute."
"Wha- But you told me to eat my food!" Soukou flailed a bit. No! She was not gobbling!
"Why were you on the battlefield? You didn't even bring a weapon."
"… And why should I answer that?" Soukou replied with a frown.
"You didn't want us to be in silence, so conversation's the only thing we've got."
Soukou grimaced, "… The plan required archers. My squad has some of the better archers in the army. Karin thought that if Shuuran wasn't on the battlefield, your group might get suspicious. So I was sent instead."
"Well, true, but considering the chaos, one or two missing generals wouldn't have been noticed until much later." Kazuto tilted his head.
"Maybe you're right. But I still could've gotten away… if it wasn't for you."
"Fair enough."
"There." Soukou threw the bowl to him, which he caught deftly. "I'm done. What's the message from my cousin?"
"To hold you for a bit longer as they deal with… yeah, I'll just give this to you." Kazuto handed the scroll to her. She opened it quickly and read the contents. The more she read, the more confused she got. The long and short of it was that…
"Kyoshou is under siege!? And the one taking control of it is Choubaku!? But… Choubaku is Karin's friend! Why would she…"
"How should we know?" Kazuto sighed, "The only thing we know for sure is that, from here on out, you'll be our honored guest, rather than a prisoner. In the meantime, we'll be making our own investigation."
"W-wait, what? Honored guest?"
"The most that means is that we'll be moving you to a room with a proper bed. If you want to leave and go to their side, then we won't stop you." Kazuto replied.
"… But Karin told me to stay here."
"She did."
She has no illusions as to why; it's because she wouldn't be useful for now, and she'll be safer with Sawada than on the road to them. "… Karin also retracted her declaration of war." Soukou frowned. Indeed, the letter also said that Sousou will no longer pursue vengeance for her father's death. Touken will be left alone for that sin.
"Eh? We're taking that as a fifty-fifty chance of true or false." Kazuto shrugged. "The recent 'let's attack the fort despite the hostage' pretty much made everyone think that Sousou could be pulling our legs."
Soukou looked like she'll half complain about that, but she decided against it. "… Fine, I'll move rooms. And I won't be a problem for your soldiers any further." Soukou sighed, as she stood up.
"That would be nice." Kazuto shrugged. "You're taking this better than I thought."
"I'm a Sou Clan member. Beauty and elegance is our birthright." Soukou shrugged.
"As well as natural drill hairs."
"What in the world is a doriiru!?" Soukou complained.
"A tool made for boring holes in the ground."
"That does not answer my question, Sawada."
"Yeah, no."
"I swear, you are a naturally infuriating person."
"I have a feeling it's less because of me, and more because other people don't want to step on your toes."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm saying is that you're a naturally infuriated person."
"… Just… take me to my room, and don't visit me anymore."
"Our soldiers are all under orders not to talk to you, you know?" In other words, he's the only one she'll get to talk to in her stay.
"… And you can't repeal that order?"
"Don't want to."
"Even just your generals?"
"Oh, in their case, they're setting an example."
"I expect better food later."
"You get the same food we get already."
"That was your meal!?" Soukou blinked. "That soup!?"
"Well, we're saving up supplies, after all." Kazuto shook his head. "We don't know how long we're staying in this fort."
"… Well, that's a question I'd like to ask." Soukou turned to him, "Why would your army still be here?" The war is over, and yet they're planning on staying here?
"… Eh, you'll probably hear our soldiers talk in the hallways about it." Kazuto shrugged, "… Enshou took Yuushuu over."
"… What." Soukou blinked. That… shouldn't be possible. Enshou is the loudest general in all of the country. All her plans are flamboyant, meant to show everyone in the world her strength. Furthermore, they recently sent scouts to Yuushuu; if Enshou was invading, they should've spotted that immediately. Admittedly, there were discussions about inciting Enshou to attack, but that never went anywhere. Enshou does as she does, and anyone trying to influence her is just asking for trouble.
But then… that's what she thought when she heard Choubaku had invaded Kyoshou. But for both armies that left for Joshuu to have their lands taken over? Is it coincidence? Maybe… but…
"Seems you really knew nothing about it." Kazuto gave a small smile, "Good to know. I'll tell the others."
"I don't really care if you do or not." Soukou huffed. "Is that the reason why you decided to just move me to a room?" Because they felt as though she'll sympathize with them?
"Maybe? I suppose so…" Kazuto laughed hollowly, unable to keep up the façade anymore. "Like you, we've lost our home." Kazuto sighed, "But thinking that you'll sympathize with us? Not really." Kazuto looked away, "Because, unlike you, we have no way of taking it back. Sousou is strong enough to take back Kyoshou. We… aren't." And with that, the trip to Soukou's new room is silent.
-()-
Back to the day that Sousou left…
Kazuto looked at the retreating Sousou Army. Slowly, the Ryuubi-Hongou Army (which they are distinctly not leading) was moving to be a sort of pseudo wall between Sousou and them. And the worrying part is that Kazuto can see civilians in the army. People not in armor, not carrying weapons. Carrying large bags. That's… not a good sign.
"… Should I g-"
"No." Aisha stopped him immediately. "Whatever Sei is doing here, it can wait till we can be sure that we are safe from more of Sousou's surprise attacks." Well to be fair, he's apparently tired out his Hyper Dying Will Mode and is running on fumes really. Enough to stand in front of the fort as everyone else, but he suspected he's going to collapse on the bed as soon as he gets to the room he'd been sleeping in the entire war.
"… Ah, they're sending a carriage…" Touka noted as a carriage moved ahead of the pack, to the fort. A white horse is walking next to them, waving the Ryuubi Flag. Kazuto turned to Touken.
"Uhh… Can we?"
Touken nodded, and Kazuto looked to Rinrin. Rinrin nodded, grabbing one of their flags, which Kazuto noted is his cross flag, and waved it in response. The flagbearers of Kan'u, Chouhi, and Ryuubi followed suit without much prompting. With that, they signaled that they recognized them as friendlies. They won't attack or shoot them. And with that, the carriage moved quicker on the battlefield towards the fort. However, what Kazuto is concerned about is that…
"Uhh… is that Pairen?" Kazuto blinked at the soldier who was waving the flag.
"Eh?" Touka leaned forward, almost immediately recognizing the redhead. "Th-that really is! But why is she here?"
"… Why do I have the feeling that we wouldn't like the answer…" Kazuto dreaded. "… And there's no Kouson banner to be found…"
"No…" Touka looked up in fear, "Did…"
Kazuto put his hand on her shoulder. "… No speculation. They're right there. We'll get our answers by asking them." Kazuto replied. "Anyway, can I go now Aisha?"
"No." Aisha replied, although Kazuto can feel the tension in her tone. She wants to know what's going on just as badly as he does.
"Fine. Rairai, Denden, I choose you!" Kazuto called.
"Rairai's going!" Rairai nodded.
"Denden's going too!" Denden grinned in response, and the two went ahead with their personal squads.
"Wait, wait, wait, who's that in front?" Kazuto asked. "I don't recognize her at all."
"… No idea." Touka replied.
"Unfortunately, she isn't familiar to me either." Aisha frowned.
"Kouhosuu Gishin." Touken promptly told them. "General of the Empire. The last we've heard of her was the Eunuch Rebellion. She disappeared alongside Reitei-sama."
"… If she's here now then…" Kazuto blinked.
"… Mifa, move my things from my room." Touken ordered the woman, and she nodded quickly. "… And we should have some spare rooms from…" The dead generals. "I'll be moving into one of those."
"Of course, Touken-sama."
"What's going on?" Rinrin asked with a pout, a bit annoyed that it wasn't her that got sent away.
"I don't know what the hell's going on, but there will be many headaches in our future." Kazuto sighed.
"Master, you shouldn't say that." Aisha sighed, as she pressed her hand on her own forehead. She then directed all soldiers to leave earshot.
It took a bit for the carriage to reach them where they were.
"Pairen-chan!" Touka greeted the girl as soon as she came into hearing range.
"Yo, Touka." Pairen gave a shaky smile. "I… uh… we heard you all the way from there. That was rather… scathing, for a lack of a better term."
"E-eheheh?" Touka blushed.
There are many things Kazuto wanted to ask Pairen, but he decided to tackle things one at a time. "Kouhosuu Gishin." He greeted. "It's an honor to meet one of the generals who spearheaded the battle against the Yellow Turbans."
"Oh, uh… you recognize me?" Kouhosuu blinked. Kazuto felt his tongue snap in his mouth. Okay, should he lie here? Better not, seeing as Touken's right there…
"Kouho Gishin." Touken bowed to her. "It is a pleasure to see you once more."
"Tou Kyouso." Kouhosuu greeted him as well.
"…" Kazuto looked at the carriage, seeing the shuffling of curtains. Stepping out the back is a white-haired woman with a kind smile.
"Ah, Fuurin-sensei!" Touka greeted her.
"So you're the famed Roshoku Shikan." Kazuto greeted as well.
"I don't know about famed…" Roshoku laughed.
"Well, famed enough that Touka and Pairen mention you far too many times that I'm actually interested in meeting you at this point." Kazuto smiled.
"Ehehehe…" Touka blushed, and this time, Pairen joined her with a small chuckle.
"Roshoku and Kouhosuu." Touken hummed, "If the two of you, who disappeared alongside Emperor Rei are here… does that mean?"
"Ah, wait, Kuutan-sama!" A voice from within the carriage cried out.
"Hmm? I shall not." A woman with periwinkle hair stepped out of the carriage, and Roshoku quickly moved to escort her off. She turned to them, and Touken quickly sketched a bow. All of them followed suit, although Kazuto only did it halfway, before raising his head after a second or so, enough for her to see that he bowed. "Oh? So you're the Ryuubi I've been hearing of?" The woman said, seemingly addressing him.
Before he could deny it, Touka stood up straight and replied, "Ah, yes, I'm Ryuu Gentoku! It's an honor to meet you, Reitei-sama!" Touka nodded.
Reitei blinked before turning to her slowly, "… Very well. Feel free to refer to me as your older sister." The woman smiled.
"W-w-what!?" Touka shakily said.
"You've been taking care of my younger sister, after all."
"N-neesama!" Paitan appeared from the back and hurriedly moving to her side. "Please don't embarrass us further…"
"Kentei-sama." Touken blinked. "I… when?"
"… We've been housing her since we found her shortly after the coalition." Kazuto summarized the situation. Touken shallowly nodded in response, as if things are clicking together.
"Paitan-chan! What are you doing here?" Touka asked, a bit worried.
"I… that's…" Paitan grimaced, "That's well…"
"I guess I'll just say it straight." Pairen sighed, before turning to Touka, "Yuushuu's been taken over by Enshou."
Silence struck everyone in the Ryuubi-Hongou Army. The implications of that sentence are damning to all of them. How? When? Why? It wasn't that long they've been gone! They should've heard of it somehow! Enshou's not… Enshou is…
"… I see." Touken hummed, his eyes piercingly sharp. "If that is the case, then please, come in. All of you. It is not safe here."
"Very well." Reitei hummed, unperturbed by the situation.
-()-
The Ryuubi-Hongou Army reunion was a rather somber situation. While Chouseihei and Sosou were the ones who helped escort their group away from Yuushuu, the two ultimately chose to stay in Yuushuu. Kouhei's decision to remain in Yuushuu was also met with bitter smiles among all of them. Their soldiers greeted their families and housed them in their barracks. Some of the soldiers they brought were left stranded, unwilling to go back to Yuushuu for the perceived danger, but still having family left behind. Overall, it was not a happy time.
The worst part is what Kousonsan revealed. The reason Enshou invaded Yuushuu, is not because of vengeance against them specifically. It was simply incidental. Kazuto almost laughed at how self-centric their belief that Enshou would even consider them worth remembering to take vengeance. No, the only reason Enshou did do so is that she found rumors in their land that Reitei, not Kentei, was headed to Yuushuu. So Enshou took the "logical" step of taking the state over to welcome Reitei when she comes. Unfortunately for her, Reitei seems to not really care about Enshou and decided to journey south to Joshuu with Kentei and the others, who themselves have decided to reunite with Ryuubi and the others.
"… A silver lining… Enshou's unlikely to be able to attack us now that Yuushuu's in her control." Kousonsan said. "Around this time of year, bandits from the north come in droves, desperate for food. She'll be busy fending them off for a time."
"Only if she cares to defend the territory." Kazuto pointed out, "If she realizes that Reitei is not going to be in Yuushuu, she might just choose to go back to Kahoku than deal with the hassle."
"Enshou is a Territory Lord, Kazuto… no, I suppose it's Master now, huh?" Pairen hummed.
"Please no." Kazuto pleaded, wanting to stave it off.
"Master." Pairen nodded, and Kazuto hung his head in response.
"Kouhei is planning on approaching Enshou to submit the territory to her, and has already sent messengers to every town in the region to do so," Josho added at the side. "At this point, Yuushuu will be recognized as Enshou's Territory now."
"And if she fails to defend Yuushuu, then that will be a sign of weakness."
"So, Enshou will be obliged to defend the territory. As much of a pain in the ass Enshou is, her pride wouldn't allow herself to be seen as weak." Kazuto grimaced. "That's… good. That means everyone back at Yuushuu will still be safe." That's the real silver lining.
"Yuushuu's bandit problem is the real deal." Pairen nodded, "Comes with being so far north, honestly… At any rate, Enshou will be stuck dealing with that for a long time."
"… This isn't just wishful thinking right?" Kazuto asked, "I mean, we thought Enshou was not going to attack till Spring the entire time. And yet here we are."
"Kazuto-kun…" Touka awkwardly looked away.
"… Sorry." Josho bowed to them. "If I just got that information network setup properly, we would've gotten a better picture into Kahoku!"
"It's fine, Genchoku-chan…" Shuri sadly said.
"… At the very least… we're now adrift for now." Kazuto summarized.
They'll only have to take things as it comes.
"… Can I ask a question?" Touken interrupted. "What are your plans now, Reitei-sama?"
"Hmm?"
"Seeing as the Ryuubi-Hongou Army are now adrift, what do you have in plan?"
"Hmm… Nothing." Reitei shrugged.
"Will you go to Enshou?" Touken asked.
"No? Why would I?' Reitei asked.
"Umm… if Enshou is right, then you exchanged True Names with her, right?" Pairen hesitantly asked.
"We did," Reitei confirmed.
"… So where will you stay?"
"With Paitan, of course." Reitei freely said. "Also, you don't need to call me Reitei anymore. Paitan's the Emperor now after all."
"W-w-what?" Paitan blanched at that, "Oneesama?"
"Since Paitan's Emperor, she'll decide everything~" Reitei freely said.
"Then what should we call you?" Touka asked.
"Kuutan-neesama is fine for you, Ryuubi-chan."
"Eh? Uh… Then Touka is fine too…"
"Then Touka~" Reitei smiled then turning to everyone in the room, "Oh, I see! I suppose that is proper, even if it's rather troublesome. I permit everyone here to use my True Name."
"… As you wish, Kuutan." Kazuto awkwardly started.
"Add a sama." Chouchuu glared at him.
"No." Kazuto replied quickly.
"It's fine, it's fine~" Kuutan smiled, "Then you're Kazuto, right? Please take care of my sister."
"Of course." Kazuto nodded. "I promised that until she decides to leave us, we'll protect her."
"And do you want to leave, Paitan?"
"N-no. I already decided to make the Ryuubi-Hongou Army as my personal guards when we're able to take back the capital." Paitan shook her head.
"Then there's no problem there~" Kuutan smiled.
"Then Kentei-sama will be staying with Ryuubi?" Touken turned to Kentei.
"Y-yes."
"If we're exchanging True Names." Roshoku coughed, "Mine is Fuurin."
"Rouan." Kouhosuu nodded.
"Fan." Chouchuu primly said although Kazuto can tell she's rather annoyed by this.
The rest of the Ryuubi-Hongou Army reciprocated quickly after.
"If that is all, then I'd like to go back to my main base. I'll leave this fort to your Army. Feel free to make use of it for the time being."
"E-eh? Is that fine?" Touka asked.
"There's still a chance that Sousou returns, correct?" Touken smiled, "The deal shall continue. But in the meantime, I'll request that Bijiku and Bihou escort me home."
"E-eh?" Rairai looked confused, "Weren't you going to bring your army with you? Why do you need us for?"
"That's right, that's right." Denden tilted her head.
"Do you not want to speak to your family?" Touken smiled.
"Well…" Rairai awkwardly looked towards Kazuto.
"Go on ahead." Kazuto smiled. "We promise that we won't leave without telling you."
"Okay." Rairai and Denden agreed to Touken's request.
"So who are you going to leave to supervise us, then, Touken?" Kazuto shrugged, "I doubt you're just going to leave us Ryuubi Army alone." They could just claim this fort as their new territory or something. Or use it as a starting point to invade Joshuu.
"But that's precisely what I'm going to do," Touken replied. "To you who is trusted so much by the Emperor, is it not right that I too trust you?"
"Not even just Mifa or Kanyou?" Kazuto tilted his head.
"I have duties that they need to fulfill at home." Touken nodded.
"… Fine." Kazuto sighed. "Just… fine." He gave up.
"With that, I'll be taking my leave."
"Umm…" Shuri hesitantly raised her hand, "Wait please, Touken-sama… About… supplies…"
"That's part of the requirements for hiring your group, yes? Since you're still here to protect us from Sousou, I'll hold up my end of the bargain." Touken laughed.
"Thank you very much!" Shuri and Hinari bowed. Touka and Kazuto followed suit.
"Regardless. Tomorrow morning, I'll march back." Touken smiled. "In the meantime, since Kentei-sama insists on remaining at your side, protect her well, alright?"
"… Got it." Kazuto nodded.
"Now then, it's late and I have an early morning. Good night, all of you."
The silence after Touken's departure was stifling. None were quite sure where to go with this.
"… What did we do wrong?" Touka asked. "… Was helping Touken… the wrong choice?"
"No." Kazuto shortly answered before anyone could contemplate that thought. "If what Pairen-chan heard from Enshou is right, then Enshou would've taken Yuushuu regardless of whether we're there or not. The only difference is that we would've all had to retreat together. And in that case, we wouldn't even have a place to stay." Admittedly, this fort is hardly ideal living conditions for them and their army, but… it's better than nothing.
"Couldn't we fight them?" Rinrin pointed out, "We have flames and everything!"
"That means we're putting the burden of defeating something several times our army's size on the shoulders of you, me, Aisha, Ren, and Sei." Kazuto pointed out, "It's theoretically possible. Guerilla tactics, making use of the land… but…"
"There are ways to win it, but the chances are far too slim." Shuri frowned. "Despite everything, Enshou's army beats ours out with both quantity and quality." Kousonsan's army is theoretically better in quality, but only minorly better. While theirs is just on the level of "Farmers who spent a few weeks swinging a spear".
"Did you not have a training regime for your soldiers?" Rouan asked, surprised at their admittance of this.
"Look at our army composition." Kazuto chuckled, "Touka's a commoner whose best skill is her ability to make mats and sandals. I'm a foreigner whose only combat training is with a sword, not spears. Aisha and Rinrin were bandit hunters before joining us. They've never had proper military training in their lives. Sei has an independent streak. Shuri, Hinari, and Josho are all theoretical when it comes to strategies. Rairai and Denden are merchant kids, not soldier kids. Ren's… Ren. Nenene's also a newbie. Yue and Ei are… officially servants and have no weight to throw around in the military. Chiihou's not a soldier at all. Not a single one of us has any experience nor natural skill with organizing a disorganized group of people." All the mentioned girls all nodded shallowly, although they each (aside for Sei and Ren) gave a light glare of annoyance to Kazuto for mentioning their weak points.
"… Then why not let Rouan do it?" Fuurin raised.
"… Is that fine?" Touka asked turning to Rouan.
Rouan looked slightly annoyed at Fuurin's decision to volunteer her, but nodded to Touka's earnest look, "If you will have me."
"Thank you, Rouan-san!"
"Then we'd ask you to start tomorrow. While there's a chance that Sousou's army might come, it's better than nothing at this point." Kazuto awkwardly smiled.
"I'll do my utmost, Master."
"… Is everyone going to be calling me Master now?" Kazuto sighed.
"What do you mean, Milord?" Sei teased.
"Oh shut up you."
"Hey?" Kuutan spoke up. "If the sorcery is your best skill, why not teach everyone?"
"We could, but we need materials," Kazuto admitted. "And I don't know where to get the gems or steels for it." He showed his ring.
"I see…" Kuutan hummed.
"Kind of useless for a Heavenly Messenger." Fan sighed.
"Sorry for not living up to lofty expectations." Kazuto shrugged, "I'm only human."
"Oh, you are?" Kuutan blinked in surprise.
"What did you think I was the entire time?" Kazuto exclaimed, incredulously staring at her.
"Don't raise your voice to Kuutan-sama!" Fan yelled at him.
"A god?" Kuutan tilted her head. "Or a servant of one?"
"Nope." Kazuto shook his head.
"Hmm… how interesting…" Kuutan smiled before yawning, "Let's adjourn for the day? It's late and the carriage on the way here was not nice to sleep in."
"… yeah, that's a good idea." Kazuto admitted, "… Everyone's had a rough day. Let's all get some rest." Kazuto finally said. "Get some time to process everything. We'll… discuss our future plans once we figure out our current arrangement here in this fort."
"Not to mention Soukou-san." Touka pointed out. "Weren't we supposed to let her go now?"
"Soukou can stay in her cell until we hear from our informants that Sousou has arrived home." Kazuto scoffed, "If Sousou wanted to be literal, then I'm being literal as well."
"Harsh, but fair." Aisha nodded. "Who'll be in charge of interacting with her?"
"No one's allowed to talk to her. Give her food, but that's it." Kazuto sighed. "Who knows what she can glean from interrogating one of our soldiers?"
"We'll make arrangements." Aisha nodded.
"For now, everyone, this meeting is adjourned."
And the group shuffled out of the door, moving to their respective rooms. Kazuto looked behind him to see Touka trailing behind him.
"… Your mother is here. You can sleep with her."
"… It's my turn today."
"… Got it." Kazuto nodded, and the two silently walked towards his room.
His room is rather small, with only a single bed. Admittedly, Kazuto would've been fine sleeping in the barracks, but that's been vetoed. But… it's not like it matters all that much as upon reaching the room, and Kazuto closing the door, Touka immediately ran up to Kazuto and cried.
"Uwaaaaah!"
The frustration, the anger, the resentment, the sadness, the pain, all of it rolling over and bursting out of her as tears flowed from her eyes. Kazuto hesitantly put his arm around the girl, comforting her. Touka has just lost Yuushuu, the only home she's known for her entire life. She had to choose to give it all up. But she had to put up a brave face in front of everyone. She can't tear up, she can't cry. So, there's only one place she can at this point. And that's here, in Kazuto's room. Where the only person there to see her cry is one that's allowed to see her do so. No doubt, all the others are having their own turmoil of emotions and each will have their own way of dealing with it.
That night, on that bed only big enough for one, Kazuto allowed Touka to sleep in his arms as she cried all of her pent up emotions into his chest. It was only till she fell asleep that he too allowed himself to sleep, finally succumbing to the exhaustion that he's been ignoring for the past hours.
All he could think is a vow, to never let her cry like this again.
-()-
For the most part, they were fairly mechanical for a while. They went through the motions of working. There was a flurry of activity as, now that the Touken Army has left, the defense of the fort has been totally left to them. To be perfectly honest, it was a welcome distraction for most of them. Touka spent most of the time visiting each family that had come to them and greeting each and every one of them with a bow and an apology. Kazuto joined her on many of these if only to keep her safe from any potential dangers. The strategists made plans. The generals went on patrols on the walls and surroundings. The servants cleaned. Chiihou did free performances.
This would go on for a few days until Sousou's message arrived. Upon reading, Touka decided to move Soukou from a jail cell to a room. Still under guard, but she's free to do as she pleases within. However, this was a wake-up call for all of them. The world will not wait for them to make up their minds to do anything. It will move on regardless of their current states of mind. And so, an executive meeting is called.
In the meeting room that they used during the war, the Ryuubi-Hongou Army silently sat. Kazuto should currently be busy dealing with Soukou. Paitan sat at the head of the table although she wasn't entirely sure she should be. Touka sat next to her, holding her hand, to both comfort her, and assure her that it's fine. The need to be strong is something they're all feeling right now. They've all had plenty of time to process the situation. So today, everyone decided to now begin planning forward.
Aisha and Rinrin sat loyally next to Touka, who was chatting amiably with Fuurin. Shuri, Hinari, and Josho were having a discussion, and their chatter is at least giving the room some semblance of noise. Sei idly stood nearby, right next to Pairen, who looked rather glum and apologetic. Yue, Ei, Ren, and Nenene all sat next to each other, silently waiting as well. The last is Chiihou, looking at the other scroll that had come this morning. Rairai and Denden were still away with Touken. Kuutan and Fan have elected to not attend, instead remained in their quarters. Rouan is currently with the soldiers, who she's whipping to shape. She claimed that there is no need for her presence; she trusts them to make their own calls in this regard. The fifteen of them sat there, idly chattering, avoiding the problem, or at least, thinking for themselves what to do.
The door opens and they all turn to it. Kazuto entered the room, and, seeing the seat next to Paitan open, took it.
"… So… what do we do?" Kazuto fronted the question that everyone was avoiding. Now that Sousou has, quite officially, called off the war between her and Touken, there is no more need for their defense of the fort. This means, once they send this message to Touken, they'll be out of a job.
"Umm… is Reborn-sensei coming?" Touka asked.
"He's there." Kazuto nodded to a shelf.
"Uhh… that's a ja…" Ei started, before blinking "Wait, why is there a jar in this room?" There really really shouldn't be any here. This wasn't the kitchen, after all. The jar turned and Reborn's diminutive form appeared again, and the costume was removed.
"E-eh?" Touka blinked.
"You all need to work on your ability to see through my disguises." Reborn scoffed. "However, don't expect me to contribute."
"Yeah, yeah." Kazuto nodded. "We get it, you don't care about this whole business." As far as he's concerned, the only thing that matters is that Kazuto becomes a great Vongola Head.
"If it was up to me, I'd turn this family into a mafia," Reborn smirked.
"Mafia?" Touka blinked at the term.
"We're not becoming an organized crime syndicate, Reborn."
"N-no, we're not!" Touka agreed quickly, hearing the word crime. The others were all in some semblance of agreement with Touka.
"Then, failing that, a private military organization."
"Mercs." Kazuto translated for everyone, and most of them are rather displeased by that thought. Mercs have a reputation of being savages whose loyalty is based on how much cash they're paid. Selling themselves to the highest bidder. Their moral compass dictated by which is the most profitable. All of them realize that it's rather unfair to paint all mercs by that brush, but choosing a life like that speaks for itself.
"Distasteful as it is, it's the most likely path forward for us." Sei pointed out. "Without a territory, we have no way to get money. Without money, we can't buy food to feed our soldiers." Soldiers who chose to come with them. Who chose to live with them. "So, to earn money, we need to be hired for it. And most of us have our skills focused on fighting. Well, that, or farming, but that's already past us." Harvest Season is over. There are only the cold months of winter in their future.
"We'd need an employer first," Kazuto told her.
"Would Touken be willing?" Touka asked, seeing that Kazuto did not deny that path. Likely Kazuto also agreed that it's the path forward that they're best suited for.
"Personally, I'm hedging more on Sonsaku," Kazuto admitted. "We do have an unofficial alliance with her group. And the more south we are, the less chance we freeze to death."
"Would they welcome us?' Aisha asked, "Sonsaku is currently officially allied with Enjutsu after all…"
"There's something that you're all a bit wrong when it comes to Enjutsu and Enshou's relationship." Pairen chuckled, "Enjutsu could care less about Enshou. They have a rivalry going on for the position of head of the En Clan. If only to stick it to Enshou, she'll look the other way for us. I wouldn't be surprised if she's one of the people who voted for you over Enshou, Hongou."
"Would've been nice to know that earlier." Kazuto dryly told her. They've been operating under the assumption that Enjutsu would ally with Enshou all this time since the coalition. But if what Pairen says is the truth, then… there's a chance that Enjutsu won't attack them.
"You assumed, not me." Pairen smiled.
"Well, unlike you, we're not familiar with the politics of the En Clan." Kazuto pointed out. "As far as we were concerned, the En Clan was united."
"That's your problem, Bakazuto." Reborn scoffed.
"Well, I'm pretty sure there's a former general in our group." Kazuto dryly looked at Sei.
"Oh please," Sei laughed, "I wasn't even ranked high enough that Bunshuu would recognize me, let alone know the politics of the En Clan."
"Stop blaming everyone else, Bakazuto." Reborn snapped. "Focus."
"… So, Touken or Sonsaku?" Kazuto finalized. "They're our only two options at this point."
"… Any reason we shouldn't choose Touken?" Aisha asked.
"Proximity to Enshou and Sousou, both we've made enemies of," Kazuto replied.
"And Sonsaku?"
"Sonsaku most likely doesn't need us to serve as mercenaries," Kazuto admitted. "She's not exactly lacking capable generals or strategists. She might not be willing to pay enough for us to feed our army for it."
"… Let's just start with Touken." Touka decided. "I mean, if Touken decides to not hire us, then we can just go to Sonsaku-san, right?"
Kazuto nodded, but then he saw Paitan fidgeting a bit in her seat, wanting to say something. "Paitan?"
"Sonsaku has the Imperial Seal, right?" Paitan pointed out. Each of them slowly turned to Sei, who looked away with a whistle. Among the people left behind, she's the only one who could have told her.
"Likely." Kazuto nodded. "Sonken Bundai all but confirmed she had it last time we met."
"But Kazuto-kun did advise Son Chuubou-san to exchange it for something else…" Touka said.
"So there's a chance that she off-loaded it already," Ei concluded.
"It's fine, it's fine!" Paitan shook her head. "I'm not asking us to get it from them."
"Eh?" Touka tilted her head.
"If… if we go to Sonsaku, and she does have the Imperial Seal… isn't that dangerous?" Paitan asked.
"What do you me-" Kazuto asked, confused.
"What Paitan-sama means is," Shuri patiently began, "There's a chance that Sonsaku-san would use both Paitan-sama and the Imperial Seal to act as a de facto Emperor."
"Ah…" Kazuto frowned. "I see… since she'd have the Imperial Seal, she can make Imperial Decrees in the guise that Paitan did it."
"That's!" Touka hesitantly said, "But Sonsaku-san didn't seem like the type. And Sonken is…"
"Then how about this," Kazuto turned to Touka, "What if Sonsaku has off-loaded the Imperial Seal? Who do you think would have it right now?"
"… Umm…" Touka frowned.
"Who does the Son Family owe so much that they'd be willing to give up the Imperial Seal to so that they can get out of said debt?" Kazuto clarified.
"Ah!" Aisha blinked. "Enjutsu!"
"Ah!" Touka nodded as well, "Son Chuubou-san mentioned that they can't officially be our ally because of Enjutsu…"
"And if Enjutsu has the Imperial Seal, and she learns that the Emperor is with us?"
"We can't protect Paitan at all." Touka finished. "So Sonsaku is a no-go."
"There are two options that all of you have ignored." Reborn raised before they can make their conclusion.
"That is?" Aisha dreaded the answer.
"First is Batou."
"The problem is we have to cross through Sousou to get there." Kazuto frowned.
"That brings me to my other option." Reborn nodded, "Sousou herself."
And, it was as though the room froze itself over at the suggestion.
"… I refuse." Kazuto finally said.
"Oh?" Reborn raised his eyebrow, "Why?"
"Sousou is the type to take what she likes and discard what she doesn't." Kazuto replied, "She won't take kindly to us being a factor independent of her. She'll want Aisha. She'll want Shuri. She'll want Hinari, Josho. She'll want Paitan. The moment we let her get an inch, she'll take a mile. So no. I refuse to consider Sousou. Unless, of course, she's the one who asks us first. And then, I'll defer to what Touka thinks at the time."
"Pushing the problem to me…"
"Touka, you are the literal biggest factor as to whether we join up with Sousou or not. If the leaders of two factions are incompatible, it's better if they remain separate."
"Sousou is also in control of Rakuyou right now." Paitan hesitantly pointed out.
"Well… not now." Kazuto joked slightly, before wincing at how poorly timed it is.
"If you help her take back Kyoshou, there's a chance she'll owe you instead?" Reborn asked.
"Why are you so caught up in this?" Kazuto asked, "You know what our stance is on Sousou."
"What is the duty of the Sky, Bakazuto?" Reborn prompted. What is Kazuto's duty?
"That's… Rain, Storm, Sun, Cloud, Mist, Lightning… he influences all of them. He understands and accepts all of them…"
"And that's the thing. All of them. Kazuto. It's not just your Guardians that you accept." Reborn frowned. "Enemies as well. You need to understand and accept all of them. Much like how your father before you made those who tried to kill him his closest allies now."
"Uh, what!?" Touka balked at that statement.
But Reborn pressed on, "So that the cycle of violence ends, your duty as the Sky means you must be the beginning of the change. So here's my question to you and only you, Kazuto. Is Sousou a bad person?"
"No." Kazuto sighed, "She's headstrong and confident. She'll go to lengths that I wouldn't even dream of. But she clearly has a code of honor she keeps. Pragmatic as she is, she isn't a villain." She's a hero of another story. It's just that her story is in conflict with theirs.
"Then, don't discard the option of allying with her. Those with opposing viewpoints to your own should be welcomed so that your viewpoint is constantly challenged. So that it is tempered by them. Considering your choice of Cloud Guardian, you won't be getting that from her."
Ren frowned at that.
"Don't get me wrong, Ryofu. You are a worthy candidate for the position. But, your filling of the spot means, intellectually, there are few here who are willing to challenge Kazuto directly."
"Ei, Nenene, Aisha, Sei…" Kazuto listed. There are many here who have opposed him directly.
"Kaku is subservient to Yue, who won't challenge you. Same with Chinkyuu, except she's subservient to Ryofu. And while Kan'u and Chouun give you token resistance, the former only shows a pittance before caving in, and the latter enables you more than not." The mentioned people opened their mouths to protest but found their voice caught in their throats. Said in such a direct manner, it was less an accusation but a statement of fact. "And I don't just mean you, Bakazuto. I mean both you and Ryuubi." Touka flinched at her mention, "Since you're both Skies, you have to see every side. You both need your wills challenged. Otherwise, your Dying Will will stagnate. For the two of you to be challenged, without an opposing force from the Cloud Guardian, you need someone whose station either equals you or has authority that neither of you can deny. Sousou fits."
Kazuto frowned, as he absorbed what Reborn said. "… That's not how relationships work, Reborn. You can't just force us to get along with someone for such pragmatic reasons! If we can't get along with someone, it's healthier for both of us to not force ourselves together if it's not needed!"
"Who decided that you can't get along with someone?" Reborn scoffed, "You are a Sky, someone whose duty is to 'accept all'. If there's someone you can't get along with, it's because you chose not to get along with them, not because you can't."
Everyone there slowly looked down with slight frustration. What Reborn said makes sense. It's not as if they can't work with Sousou. It's that they don't want to. Because Sousou isn't someone they could imagine themselves getting along with. No… they don't want to imagine getting along with her group. Not after this war.
"… Let's just… send the letter to Touken already." Kazuto sighed. "And Touken is still the top choice."
"Y-yeah," Paitan nodded, shaking from the lecture, "Touken already knows that we're here. It's safer the fewer people who know that I'm with you. If we joined Sousou now, she'll immediately recognize, if not me, then my sister."
"Umm… Is it a bad time to say something?" Chiihou raised her voice, holding up the second scroll Sousou had sent over. "What are we going to do with this?"
"The letter requesting the meeting between yourself and Choukaku and Chouryou." Kazuto grimaced. "In all honesty, I'd like to wait till after the war between Sousou and Choubaku, but that might be a bit too late."
"Oh, right, that!" Paitan rummaged through her pouch, "Umm… I have the letter pardoning the Chou Sisters here!"
"Wait, pardoning!?" Chiihou balked at the scroll that was pulled out. "Does that mean that we can save them with-"
"No." Kazuto shook his head dashing her hopes before it goes too high, "As we saw in the last battle, Sousou views your sisters as valuable tools that she can use. If she wanted, she can easily claim our letter a fake, especially without the mark of the Imperial Seal on it. Furthermore, it looks too new. If we send that letter as is, we'll be practically declaring to Sousou that we have Paitan."
"Then why make it in the first place?" Chiihou asked, pleading.
"… It's for if you decide to leave us." Kazuto sighed as he picked up the scroll and opening it to read it.
"E-eh?" Chiihou blinked at that.
"This document is only useful if Sousou wants it to be useful. And what better use for it would Sousou have than removing a weak point in her carefully constructed fortress? In this case, that weakness is Choukaku and Chouryou's status. If others find out that she lied to the emperor and claimed that she killed both of them, there's a chance that it would ruin her credibility. But with this document, she can claim that she was merely housing innocents who were in danger." Kazuto handed it to Rinrin. "Rinrin, can you use your flame to age this paper as much as you can without destroying it? The age of the scroll should at least be about a few months ago, around before the Coalition, to make it seem as if Paitan wrote it during her month as an Emperor."
"I'll tell her when to stop then." Reborn scoffed, as Rinrin gingerly held the scroll and the two began working on it as Yellow Flame burst from Rinrin's ring.
"… This scroll can't be used to save Choukaku and Chouryou." Kazuto turned to Chiihou. "There's nothing we can do about that. But it can be used so that you don't get used and abused."
"Can we exchange Soukou for them?" Chiihou asked, pointing out a potential plan.
"You already know why that won't work." Kazuto pointed to the scroll in Chiihou's hand. "She wants Soukou to be the one to bring you to her. Her and only one other bodyguard. In this case, that would be Sei." That part was clearly tacked on only at the end, likely appended after their capture of Soukou.
"Hmm… Kazuto-sama. Do you want Chiihou to leave us?" Sei seriously looked at him. Her intentions are clear for Kazuto to see. She wants him to make it clear to Chiihou how he feels.
"No. Of course not." Kazuto replied and Chiihou blinked at that, "But I want Chiihou to be happy more. And if being with her sisters again will make her happier than being with us, then I won't deny her that right." He turned to Chiihou, "So, go with what your heart says."
"… I'll… I'll think about it." Chiihou said hesitantly.
"You have until Sousou manages to quell down enough of the fighting that it's safe to send the three of you out." Kazuto sighed. "For what it's worth, Chiihou, you are Family. And I do not say that lightly. You will always be Family. We'll never see you as any less for whatever choice you make."
"Of course!" Touka nodded quickly to her, "You're our friend, after all!"
"… Thank you." Chiihou smiled shakily.
"We're done here!" Rinrin called, handing the scroll back to Kazuto who passed it onto Sei. She frowned at it before taking it in hand.
"… So, I guess that's everything." Kazuto sighed. "We dealt with both the scrolls as best we could, and we planned our future move. We still don't need to move out until Touken tells us to. We're pretty much a merc band now. And we'll consider potential employers in order, Touken, Batou," here he gulped, as if unsure what to say, "…Sousou then Sonsaku."
"… That's acceptable." Aisha nodded.
"We don't have much of a choice, I suppose…" Touka sighed.
"Then, things we need to do… send a message to Touken… and…"
A rapping was heard at the door. Rouan opened the door in a hurry.
"What is it, Rouan?"
"Umm… Bijiku, Bihou, and a representative of Touken have arrived. Sonken Kouyuu, I believe."
"Well… speaking of…" Kazuto stood up.
"Oniichan!" Rairai burst over, with Denden following close behind, "Praise us, praise us!"
"Uhh, good work?" Kazuto patted their heads and they preened in response, "So what am I praising you two for?"
"I believe it would be this, Master." Mifa chuckled as she walked behind them.
"Mifa-san!" Touka greeted her, "Umm… did you go here alone with just Rairai and Denden?"
"They were more than enough as companions on our journey here." Mifa smiled, "Master, were you aware of why Touken-sama's generals were so adamant in getting glory?"
"Uhh… first of all, I'm not your Master." Kazuto pointed out, "And next, uhh, I thought they were just trying to reclaim the honor they lost from not participating in the coalition?"
Mifa merely smiled in response, "Oh, no, the appellation is appropriate, Master." Mifa then opened a scroll, "This is a message from Touken Kyouso, now former Imperial Protector of Joshuu."
"Former!?" Kazuto blinked at that.
"I, Touken Kyouso," Mifa said making an impression of Touken, "of sound mind and body, declare that, upon my retirement, Ryuubi Gentoku and Sawada Kazuto Hongou be the regent lords of the territory. May the heavens smile favorably upon them as they guide Joshuu into the future."
"W-what!?" Touka shakily said, unsure how to feel about this.
"We helped!" Denden cheered.
Rairai preened, "We convinced our family to support you as the next Protector of Joshuu!"
"Yes, that is part of why it happened." Mifa smiled, "But there is also the declaration that Touken-sama made to all the generals before leaving for this war against Sousou. Touken-sama had declared that the general who manages to contribute the most to the victory will be granted the position of regent. Normally, neither of you would be considered, but with the Bi Clan's endorsement as well as testimonials from many of the soldiers that had worked under you during the battle against Sousou, we convinced the elders and the other officials of your suitability to the position."
"… This is…" Touka blinked as tears flowed in her eyes. "We can't… this is…" Far too much. They can't just take this. But if they accept it, then there would be no worries about feeding their soldiers' families for the winter.
"I'm afraid that it's far too late for either of you to refuse anymore." Mifa smiled. "There are some spare materials for building houses for your soldiers prepared."
"… We can't thank you enough, Mifa." Kazuto bowed to her.
"Kanyou helped as well." Mifa smiled. "Now then. If you want to be at the city by days out and before the biting cold comes, please hurry and prepare."
"Wait, wait, this is all going too quickly!" Aisha stood up. "Please let us have some time to process all this!"
"Nope, no time!" Bihou said, "The ceremony is in two days!"
And so, a burst of life kicked in and everyone started moving around, as they prepared for their new life as the leaders of Joshuu.
-()-
Chapter End
-()-
Chapter Release Date: October 2, 2020
-()-
Beta Reader: Seraphius
-()-
Ryuubi-Hongou Army Named Members:
Administrative: Sawada Kazuto, Ryuubi Gentoku (Touka), Ryuukyou/Kentei (Paitan), Toutaku Chuuei (Yue, disguised as Maid), Touken Kyouso *NEW*
Military: Kan'u Unchou (Aisha), Chouhi Yokutoku (Rinrin), Chouun Shiryuu (Sei), Ryofu Housen (Ren), Kousonsan Hakukei (Pairen) *NEW*, Kouhosuu Gishin (Rouan) *NEW*
Advisory: Shokatsuryou Koumei (Shuri), Houtou Shigen (Hinari), Josho Genchoku (True Name: Pending), Reborn, Kaku Bunwa (Ei), Chinkyuu Koudai (Nenene), Roshoku Shikan (Fuurin) *NEW*, Sonken Kouyuu (Mifa) *NEW*
Economic: Chouhou (Chiihou), Bijiku Shichuu (Rairai), Bihou Shihou (Denden), Kanyou Kenwa (True Name: Pending) *NEW*
Freeloader: Ryuukou/Reitei (Kuutan) *NEW*, Chouchuu (Fan) *NEW*
Total: 25 Named Characters. Many Unnamed Ones
Defectors: Chouseihei, Sosou, Kouhei (Total 3 Named Characters)
POWs: Soukou Shiren (Eika)
-()-
And there we go, the epilogue/aftermath/last chapter of the Joshuu War Arc. Hope none of you mind the oncoming hiatus at this point. I do have a date for the next chapter release. Or a personal deadline for me to finish the next arc. If I finish the next arc before that date… I might have to start working on another story. I don't really want to burn myself out on this story by focusing so much on it.
See you all on December 11, 2020 for Joshuu Days. Take care, all of you!