Of course, as this is a Gudako/Amakusa fanfic there's no way I'd be able to ignore Shimosa, where Amakusa actually got an important in-main-plot role!
(That it's actually an alternate version of him who's the villain makes little difference to my fangirl-ness.)
Also, I'm going to split this chapter up into various scenes, so it likely won't make any sense to someone who hasn't played the actual Shimosa chapter. This is because in my idea Amakusa being present would change some things – which will be shown in this fic – but not the entirety of the story.
I don't want to write down the entire story because not enough would change to merit that, so I'll only show scenes that are significantly changed. It's still pretty long, however.
That was all I have to say, so I hope you enjoy the chapter!
"Are you alright, Gudako? Do you need to take a break?" Gudako lifted her gaze from the ground in front of her feet and directed it at Musashi, who'd stopped a little ahead of her. She must've noticed Gudako's steps had slowed a little.
"I-I'm fine," Chaldea's Master managed to say between breaths, "though I think I'll need a few minutes." Musashi nodded in understanding, and put Onui and Tasuke on the ground. The burden on Gudako had lessened a lot since Musashi started carrying them, but given that their last 'break' had been the nerve-wrecking hide-and-seek from the crazed Inshun, she hadn't had much time to recover.
In truth, she didn't want to take a break. Every moment she wasn't completely focusing on running away was a moment she could think back on what happened in the village, the screams she heard. Still, the frantic beating of her heart and how she gasped for air made it obvious she needed at moment to catch her breath, so she just tried not to think about it too much.
Instead, she turned to Onui and asked: "How long before we reach your grandfather's hermitage?"
"Um, not long now, I promise."
"That's good to hear," Musashi said, stretching her legs a little.
"Anyways, Gudako, how are you feeling? If you've recovered, then-" Musashi cut herself off as her body suddenly tensed, her hand flying to the handle of her sword, prepared to draw it. She had turned all of her attention to a spot hidden by the shadow of a tree somewhere ahead of them, in the direction they'd been heading so far. Had Inshun not only caught up to them, but circled around to cut off their escape route?
"Huh? What's wrong?" Onui asked, worry in her voice as Gudako pulled her protectively behind her. The girl tried to comfort Tasuke in her arms, though she was having a difficult time with how scared she herself was.
"… Is it Inshun?" Gudako dared ask after the rustling up ahead had gotten loud enough for even her to hear.
"… I don't know. I can't think of anyone else out here with the sudden nightfall, but this approach is too obvious. Even if toying with us he wouldn't be this easy to hear."
"Can it be Onui and Tasuke's grandfather, coming to look for them?" Gudako had started to whisper as whoever it was came closer. Going by the rustling, they were about to come out of the shadows.
"No, grandfather wouldn't leave the hermitage in case we came back while he was out."
The group wouldn't have to speculate much longer, as the mysterious person finally stepped into the moonlight.
No matter the time or place, white hair and tanned skin were an unusual sight (except maybe within Chaldea's halls, but that was an exception, really).
But while Musashi and the kids still viewed this stranger as that – as stranger – to Gudako this odd color combination was more than welcome surprise, as she started towards the man with his hand on a tree before Musashi could stop her.
"Amakusa!" She let out a relieved sigh. Unlike the two Heroic Swordsmen she'd met earlier, despite being familiar, the man in front of her did not have red eyes or a crazed expression, instead regarding her with his usual warm smile and comforting golden gaze.
"Master, it's a relief… to see you're safe."
"Is this… another of your companions?" Musashi asked, slowly releasing the grip on her sword. Gudako seemed to know and trust the man enough to drop her guard in front of him, so she decided to trust the young woman's judgment. Besides, it's not like he was in any state to cause them much trouble even if he did have ill intentions.
From this close Gudako saw it even clearer: Amakusa was shaking, and his breathing was heavy. He had his hand on the tree to support himself.
"Amakusa? What's wrong?"
But before the Ruler could say much more he collapsed, and Gudako just barely managed to catch him before he hit the ground.
"Whoa, what happened?!"
"I-Is that mister alright?"
In truth, Gudako was just as surprised as them, if not more. The relief she'd felt upon knowing one of her Servants was had immediately turned into confusion and almost panic, but she knew she couldn't afford to freak out here: Inshun was still chasing them, and there was no way of telling when he'd catch up. They had to drop Onui and Tasuke off with their grandfather, and then try to find a way to defeat the Heroic Swordmasters.
And so…
"Musashi, I'm sorry, but can you carry him? I'll take over Onui and Tasuke again."
"What? Um, I guess it makes sense to want to keep running, but… will that guy be alright?"
"I…" She didn't have the time to hesitate or second-guess, Gudako knew she didn't, "yes, he'll be fine. He seems to be low on magical energy, and I can replenish that later. But for now we need to keep moving first and foremost!"
"Alright, got it!" Musashi took Amakusa from Gudako, slumping over her back with an 'upsy-daisy'.
"Can you manage?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine: this guy's pretty light." Gudako nodded, and moved to lift Onui and Tasuke up again. There was not a moment left to waste.
"… But first, you need to tell me about yourself and your clan. That's the condition for letting you inside," Onui and Tasuke's far-too-young grandfather said as he stood between them and the house.
"That includes your unconscious friend over there, too," he said, gesturing to the unconscious Amakusa still slung over Musashi's back.
"… I wish I could," Musashi said. It wasn't obvious, but from right next to her Gudako could see her tense. The 'grandfather' didn't look like he was about to attack them, so why…?
"I'm so sorry. It looks like I made a bad call," Musashi had now placed one hand on her swords, and this time the masculine youth noticed as well, frowning.
The next moment went fast, almost too fast for Gudako to follow. One moment Musashi was standing there, facing the man. The next, she'd spun around with such speed that Amakusa was thrown off her back, hitting the ground besides Gudako. She'd drawn her swords with the same motion, and used them to block Inshun – no, the Lancer of Purgatorio – his surprise attack.
He immediately turned his next attack on the supposedly-old man, but luckily he could defend himself.
What followed was a gruesome battle between Musashi (supported by Gudako) against Lancer of Purgatorio.
Still, at least the blacksmith was nice enough to move Amakusa's unconscious body out of the line of fire while the rest were occupied with fighting.
Gudako glanced up when she heard Musashi's voice from the other room.
After a moment of listening, she figured she and Onui were talking about Muramasa – or at least the stories of him as a legendary blacksmith. Normally she'd have happily joined in on the conversation, but…
Gudako lowered her gaze to the man who was lying on a futon in front of her. Amakusa had briefly woken up this morning, but after she'd reassured him they were safe, he'd eaten a bit and gone back to sleep. It seemed that the problem keeping him weak like this laid in a lack of mana, so resting was the best remedy for him.
Gudako heard Muramasa's voice speak up. She really did want to join the conversation with the others, but she wouldn't feel right about leaving Amakusa all alone. Besides, at least this way she could supply him with some more prana, which could help him recover that much sooner. Even if all she could do was hold his hand likes this…
"How is he doing?" Gudako nearly jumped when she heard the young voice pipe up right next to her, but she managed to restrain it to just a flinch.
"Oh, Onui, sorry, I didn't hear you there," she laughed it off. Glancing through the open door behind the girl, Gudako noticed Muramasa and Musashi weren't in the room eating breakfast anymore.
Noticing her gaze, Onui said: "Grandfather and Ms. Samurai went to talk in the forge."
"Ah, I see," Gudako nodded, figuring they were probably there talking about the Heroic Swordmasters. Well, they could fill her in later. Amakusa would need to hear the explanation again anyways.
"To answer your question from earlier," Gudako said, "he's doing a lot better." Shuffling a bit closer, Onui nodded.
"Yeah, he's looking a lot better! And it's because you've been holding his hand?" Gudako nodded. While she initially doubted that Onui understood her brief explanation on prana and a Master Servant bond, it seems she might have grasped more of it than expected.
"Wow, he must really like you, to feel so much stronger because you're here!"
"Wh-what?!"
… On second thought, it seems she didn't get the explanation. At all.
It took at least ten minutes before Gudako had frantically managed to convince the young girl that what she was doing wasn't romantic in nature, and that she and Amakusa were not dating – where Onui had gotten that idea, Gudako didn't know. She wouldn't have been surprised if it turned out Musashi had been spreading rumors about it behind her back.
"Oh, alright then," Onui finally said.
"So, you get it? That Amakusa and I aren't in that kind of relationship?"
"Yep!" Gudako let out a relieved sigh…
"But you still like him, right?"
… And almost choked when she gasped midway through it.
"Wha- why do you think I…?!"
"Well, you've been looking at his face this entire time, not moving from his side! That sounds exactly like some of the romance stories a girl a bit older than me from the village likes to tell!"
"Erm, well, that's…" Gudako felt her face grow hot, and she was certain Onui was perceptive enough – despite her young age – to notice.
Finally, she caved and realized it'd be easier to just admit the truth, if only to Onui (and technically Tasuke, though given that he had been sleeping for most of the conversation Gudako doubted he was all that interested in the subject). She glanced at Amakusa, confirming he was still out cold, and then at the open door, confirming Muramasa and Musashi were still away talking.
"Alright then," she whispered as she leaned closer to Onui, "I'll admit: I like him."
Onui let out a small squeal of happiness, apparently getting a head-start on liking love-talk, before whispering back: "I knew it!"
Then, after a moment: "… Wait, so why aren't you together yet?"
"Yeesh, way to start asking the tough questions…" Gudako sighed.
"… It's because what I feel for him – it's completely one-sided, you see?"
"Oh, that's too bad. Still, you're really pretty and nice, so I'm sure he'll change his mind!"
"Haha, it'd be nice if it ever got to that point…"
"Yes! I'll do my best to support you!"
Before Gudako could reply she heard the sound of the others returning from the forge, and hastily whispered to Onui: "Be sure to keep this conversation a secret, alright?"
With a nod and a serious look that was kind of silly on the face of a child, Onui nodded.
"Are you alright? We don't need to take a break?"
"Thank you for the concern, Master," Amakusa said with his usual smile, "but I assure you: I am not forcing myself, and can keep on walking just fine. As long as I stay out of battle, I won't be needing any breaks on the way to Toke." Gudako new this, of course. He'd already told her this before they left Muramasa's hermitage, but she couldn't help but fret over him a little. Still, she supposed she was being too overprotective now, and so forced herself to back off a little.
"Alright then, if you say so." It wasn't like he was not doing a good job staying out of the fighting so far: every time the sky had darkened and a group of evil spirits had barred their path, he'd done as he promised and hung back, helping to keep an eye on Onui and Tasuke.
"Are you sure you'll be alright though, going to such a large town? The Shimabara Rebellion even came up in a conversation between gramps and me, so I'm sure they'll be talking about it a bunch over there," Musashi added.
"As I said before, I'll be fine: while I certainly have complicated feelings about this era, that doesn't involve any resentment towards the people living here, regardless of what they think of what transpired. But thank you for your concern anyways."
"Still, to be able to forgive something like that… I don't think I'd have it in me. You must be magnanimous enough to make even Buddha proud!"
Gudako silently agreed with Musashi. Amakusa had donned his final ascension outfit to fit in with the era more, but had to remove the cross symbols to avoid starting a fight. She was sure that must have hurt, but he hadn't complained for even a moment.
"Mister Samurai?" Onui spoke up, and Gudako was thankful for the break from the rather awkward subject.
The girl had assumed Amakusa was a samurai due to his clothing and the sword at his hip, and the Ruler had made no attempt to correct her.
"Yes?" He smiled at her warmly.
As Onui and Amakusa talked, Gudako ended up walking next to Musashi.
"I'll admit," the young samurai started, "that after everything I'd heard about the Shimabara Rebellion and its leader, I didn't expect him to be so… Calm." Both women regarded the Ruler and child talking amicably. Even though Amakusa had only really woken up this morning, it was clear the young girl was already quite fond of him.
"By the way, what do you think of Miss Gudako?"
"Well, she's my Master, so of course I respect her. She's a good person and a good leader, so I'm glad to be working with her."
"Um, but what do you think of her as a person?"
"… How did they get on that subject, actually?" Gudako wondered aloud.
"I think Onui just started asking about you, all of a sudden. Do you have any idea why?" After a moment of thinking it over, the only thing Gudako could come up with was her conversation with Onui about her one-sided feelings for Amakusa. Was the girl trying to set them up with each other? While Gudako found the idea adorable, she did not have particularly high hopes of her chances.
"Yeah, I can think of a reason why," she answered, "It's nothing bad, so let's just leave her be."
"Huh. You know, you're trying to play it cool, but don't think I don't see how closely you're paying attention to the conversation."
Gudako kept silent, and after a moment Musashi got a glint in her eye, likely suspecting what was going on. The cat-like grin forming on her face cemented Gudako's suspicions, and with a deep sigh the Master just hoped that Musashi wouldn't tease her about this too terribly.
"Upsy-daisy," Musashi said as she lifted Kotarou onto her back.
"… Huh, I'm getting a strong sense of deja-vu here, all of a sudden," she mumbled as she took the first few steps out of the alley, followed closely by Gudako, Amakusa and Onui and Tasuke. Gudako wondered where Musashi had even learned a French term, but supposed Musashi had travelled around enough to have picked it up somewhere.
"So, where to? I don't think we're going to have much luck finding a random inn willing to take us in like this…" After a brief discussion, they all agreed to head to Otama's place, as she was really the only person in this town they knew by name and would be able to reach.
"Let's start with asking that group over there," Gudako started as she pointed to a group of men exiting a shop, "if they've heard of where she might work."
"Alrighty, let's go!"
It didn't take them long to find a good lead, as Otama was apparently a minor celebrity in town – at least amongst the men, that is. Luckily her place wasn't too far off, so their walk wouldn't have to take too long.
Gudako just hoped things wouldn't somehow escalate into a fight again, like with Otama and princess Kiyohime. She'd subconsciously let out a small sigh, and her ever-perceptive Ruler Servant had of course noticed right away.
"Is something the matter, Master?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Gudako waved it off, "just mentally preparing myself for meeting Otama again. You know, in case we get dragged into another commotion like the one earlier." She also hoped Onui would stay calm, as earlier she'd been acting kind of weird, trying to get between Kiyohime and Otama when they were essentially making moves on the young Master.
"Yes, I must admit that it was a surprising sight, seeing a scene so familiar to Chaldea's halls here in the streets of a Japanese town from so long ago."
"It threw me for a loop, that's for certain," Gudako smiled.
"In that case," she continued with a small laugh, "you might want to watch out: don't want to get chased around by a homicidal Kiyohime again, right?" Honestly, while this Kiyohime was certainly as attached to Gudako as ever, the Master didn't get the impression the girl was as bad about it as Chaldea's Kiyohime, so the chance of that happening was pretty small.
Amakusa certainly knew that as well, but while he tried to cover it up with a chuckle, Gudako could swear she saw him sweat at the thought for a moment.
"… And finally, it seems that two of the members of the group are 'Servants'," Danzo continued her report on the woman calling herself Shinmen Musashi and her companions.
"One of these appears to be a ninja like myself, and the second…"
The way she trailed of did not go by unnoticed, and the Caster of Limbo urged her to continue: "And? What of the other Heroic Spirit?"
"Well," Danzo started, a bit uncertain how to explain this, "the second appears to be… Well, you, Lord-Sorcerer." There was a moment of silence as those present processed her words. There was no way Danzo would have mistaken someone who merely looked like the Lord-Sorcerer for him, and since they were talking of Heroic Spirits…
"I see," the Lord-Sorcerer said, "so an alternate Amakusa-Shirou-Tokisada managed to become a Heroic Spirit, and ended up being summoned by this Master of Chaldea."
Danzo nodded, as that appeared to be the most logical explanation.
"Well, this is quite the turn of events. What would you have us do, O Lord-Sorcerer?" Caster of Limbo addressed his 'master'.
"Pay him no more attention than you would the other members of his group," he said, his tone flat.
"While he might be another version of me, without this Jesuit Sorcery he will not prove too great a threat."
Despite his dismissive words and tone, it was all Danzo could do not to flinch. While as a ninja she'd been trained in the art of keeping her emotions and thoughts to herself, even she found it difficult to try not to have seen the expression of sheer rage that flitted across the Lord-Sorcerer's countenance, betraying just how much hearing of this other version of himself had angered him.
"Well, maybe Kotarou can't join us in battle quite yet, but how about you, Amakusa? Has your Spirit Origin-thingy stabilized enough?" Musashi asked as their group stuck together in the crowd, trying to figure out why there were so many people gathering in the streets.
"Yes, I believe it has. While I wasn't in good enough shape yesterday to be of much more help against Archer of Inferno, I assure you that I can now face any threats."
"Wow, that sure sounds reassuring when you put it like that! I've got to say, from what I've seen of you Heroic Spirits so far, it sounds great to have one on our side!"
"Yes, I'm happy Mister Samurai is feeling better, too," Onui piped in.
"Master," Kotarou appeared from within the crowd, rejoining the group, "the procession of samurai the townspeople mentioned is just up ahead. We'll be able to see them pass by soon."
"Alright, thanks, Kotarou!"
Indeed, as the ninja said, the procession of samurai soon appeared. And coming up from the rear was a man who clearly stood out from all the rest, and not only because he was riding on a horse.
The man, Yagyu Tajima-no-Kami, held his speech, and despite himself, Amakusa tensed at the mention of Shimabara. As he'd feared, the samurai here had fought in that battle. From the corner of his eye he could see his Master give him a concerned look, and it was just what he needed to ground himself back into reality and wrench his thoughts away from unpleasant memories.
He'd recovered enough that when Kotarou mentioned Tajima-no-Kami's role in the Shimabara rebellion, he answered his friend's worried glance with a calm smile, and even managed to add some of the impressions he'd heard of his old comrades, before the final battle.
As Musashi spoke of her encounter with him, Amakusa noticed the man in question looking at their little group. For a moment, he saw the man's eyes widen, and then he started approaching them.
It seemed to the Ruler like he was looking at him when he looked so surprised, perhaps he recognized him from the Shimabara Rebellion?
But as the man called out to Musashi, Amakusa wondered if perhaps he'd been mistaken after all.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"… Um, Kotarou?"
"Yes?"
"You're, um… kind of in my personal space?" Gudako could hardly be blamed for thinking this, as Kotarou could almost be sitting on her lap for how close he was.
As befitting for a ninja, he respectfully backed up a bit with an apology, though he was still sitting rather close.
"I have to keep you safe," he justified it, but Gudako wasn't convinced just yet.
"But Amakusa's also here guarding me, and he can do it just fine from a distance!" Indeed, Amakusa Shirou Tokisada was also present in the room, looking at the scene from his futon a respectable distance away with an amused smile.
"No need to drag me into this," he chuckled.
"No no no, I need your help convincing him I need my space!" Gudako recalled how some of the castle's maids had shown concern for a young woman having to share a room with two men, but she'd waved those concerns off. She was somewhat regretting not rooming with Kiyohime and Musashi now, even if Kotarou had made a solid point when saying that the enemy's two most likely targets sleeping in the same room was risky.
Kotarou opened his mouth to argue his point again, and then she knew it was going to be a long night.
I'd originally intended to make one chapter of this, but as I got to writing it turned out pretty long. As such, I split it up into two parts, the second of which will be out next month. See you all then!
