Ranmaru and Itsuki agreed to stay until Hanzo and Mizu came back from Osaka, but further than that, we couldn't clip their wings. They were both nearly fifteen now, and capable of making their own choices, without our guidance if they decided to. The least we could do was give them the freedom to act on their impulses, and at least they'd be safe in Oshu.
Thinking on this as Kotone tried hard to copy my strikes, I caught the pair of them out of the corner of my eye, both of them laughing at some kind of joke. Telling Kotone to take a short break so I could look at them properly, I couldn't resist the small smile that crept onto my lips at the pink tinge around them both, weaving beautiful patterns as the pair of them continued talking. When had they grown up so much?
Noticing me staring, Itsuki raised her hand in a wave that I returned, turning back around to show Kotone again. I couldn't help letting my mind wander again, wondering if Kotone had not the skill, but the instinct to be a sword fighter. Would she be able to spot when it was fine to break form and strike recklessly, or know when to beat a needed retreat? Only time, Kami forbid, could ever tell me the answer.
"Sayomi?" Kotone suddenly inquired.
"Mm?"
"If guns are stronger, why don't everyone use them?"
"Stubborn samurai pride." I explained, moving into the next stance fluidly as I finished my answer, nodding when she replicated it with a degree of accuracy, "We didn't invent it remember? Oda bought a large amount from some foreign traders, and that started the trend. However, traditionalists see that as kind of stamping on the traditions of war."
I cut myself short, holding out my bokken to catch the tip of hers on the return, "Less force on that one for now, otherwise you'll be vaulted over if an enemy blocks it."
"Okay."
"Practising hard ladies?" Any order in Kotone's form quickly vanished as Masamune came closer, loosely slinging a pair of sandals on.
"Well we were." I rolled my eyes, tucking my bokken back into my sash while Kotone kept hers to her side. "Anything we can help you with, Lord Masamune?"
"Well, Kojuro's been kidnapped for the day again, so I'm flying solo today. Thought I'd come visit you since the ninjas are gone."
"Mizu's gone, you mean?" I asked gently, rewarded by his attempt at a snort and uncaring smirk. Attempt being the operative word there. Feeling guilty for bringing it up, I let Kotone go in search of Hotaru, leaving me to pat the One Eyed Dragon's shoulder, "She'll have calmed down by the time they're back. And when they do, how about we all go out for booze?"
There was a genuine laugh now, my own mingling with it, "Fine, but I'm not paying."
"Not until the fifth round." I promised, signalling my mock surrender.
"You think you're going to last that long?" Masamune challenged. "Kid, unless you're planning to invite Itsuki or Ranmaru, you're going to be the youngest there."
"Yeah, but I survived the Kodokuna homebrew."
An evil glint passed through the Dragon's eye, and as we parted ways for the night, I knew that when Hanzo and Mizu got back and sorted their ninja business out, there was going to be a hell of a drinking party in Edo. It'd probably be best if we gave Ieyasu as much notice as possible, since I could sense my first round of money losing itself down the drain pretty quickly.
Every time I made a move, the breastplate fidgeted uncomfortably around my chest, but I didn't dare loosen the ties. "I'll make you an appointment with the armourer." Ieyasu promised, pulling me so I could grip onto Tadakatsu's spare shoulder pad.
"Much appreciated," I managed. "Otherwise I'm going to be passing out every time I try to take a swing."
We were going to the province of Kii, since with no word or sign of his missing men; Ieyasu had finally decided we couldn't wait any longer to make an alliance with the Saica mercenaries. Rumours were that Mitsunari would be making a move towards them any day now, hence the Tadakatsu transport.
Checking my swords were still tied firmly to my back, I shared a nod with Ieyasu, just as Tadakatsu shot into the sky, the resulting wind slamming right into us from above, doing its best to dislodge either of us. Pushing closer to the pad, I risked a quick glance down, squeaking and turning my head back when the roof of the castle vanished behind a cloud.
Tadakatsu seemed to notice my fright, slowly killing his engines until he was lying face down before heading in the right direction, letting us straighten up again. "I am never going to get used to that." I laughed shakenly, pushing what hair had come loose out of my face again.
"It's taken your mind off your armour though?" Ieyasu smirked, getting to his feet slowly before crossing his arms. Choosing to remain seated, I gave a nod, fidgeting with the breastplate again. Kotone had watched me put it on so she'd understand how to do it for herself one day, and even she'd winced when she'd seen me reach for an extra roll of bandages. I looked more like a boy than I had at fifteen for crying out loud.
Leaning against Tadakatsu's back thruster, I focused on keeping my hair free of my face more than the scenery, only sparing occasional glances to the clouds every now and again. "I'm going to be honest, I don't know how the current leader of the Saica is going to react to you." Ieyasu admitted, looking at me from over his shoulder.
"Then why bring me?"
"Partially out of limited options…"
"Oh nice!" I joked, folding my arms as if deeply insulted.
"And partly because I don't want her to agree only to see you at Edo and then decide Mitsunari's side is the better option."
"So you're ripping the bandage right off, rather than soaking it first." I surmised, nodding approvingly. "Dare I say it Takechiyo, you're thinking like a warlord."
"Perish the thought."
My grin ended the conversation, Ieyasu returning his view to the front as I cracked my neck, the hum of Tadakatsu's engines more relaxing than one would originally think unless they'd been up there themselves. Even so, given the choice, I preferred horseback.
The world underneath us passed at an almost dizzying pace, going too fast for me to spot anything too well unless it was a huge plain or city. It wouldn't take too long to get to Kii, but Ieyasu's warning unlocked a hint of nervousness inside me. It was very likely that the new leader of the Saica wouldn't want to work with me, even after my betrayal of Oda had been broadcast across the country. News like that travels fast sure, whether it's true news will always be up for debate.
"I hope we're in time, Mitsunari has the distance advantage over us." Ieyasu whispered, probably meaning to be unheard, but Tadakatsu seemed to pick up on his boss's worry. Before warning me in the slightest, he added another burst of speed to his already amazing pace, and it was only my hunkered position that stopped me from flying off. Ieyasu wasn't so lucky.
He struggled valiantly to keep his balance at first, but then the tiniest gust of wind joined the one we were already pushing into, and he finally toppled over, the mix of wind and Tadakatsu's speed preventing him from falling to his doom. Instead, he sailed right into me, and there he stayed for the five seconds it took Tadakatsu to realise he was being asked to slow down again, after which Ieyasu was able to roll off me again. "We'd appreciate some warning next time!" Ieyasu called.
At least, that's what I thought he said at the time. My hands were at my throat, rubbing it as hard as I could while I tried-and failed- to form words around a clog in my lungs. All I really remembered clearly from the few minutes that followed was Ieyasu pulling me back into a seating position before slamming my back hard. The clog weighing down on my chest seemed to shift, and after a second smack finally seemed to clear as I took a deep gulp of air, choking with the strength of it.
"Thank you."
"You should have said the armour was that tight." He scolded gently.
"I didn't expect to have to catch you." Even so, when Ieyasu stopped fussing and went to check on our progress, my fingers flew to my chest again, pressing hard as if I was trying to find the skin I knew was under there somewhere.
Silence filled the remainder of our trip, right up until we both gripped onto the shoulder pads again as Tadakatsu made his landing. I shifted my swords from my back to my waist, and Ieyasu strapped his gauntlets on more securely. Party time.
We'd set down in what appeared to be the centre of the province, but it was deserted. No houses, no people, nothing. Even a quick scan of the trees didn't reveal anyone lying in wait. Swapping a look with Ieyasu, I brought my hand around to rest on my sword, stroking the hilt to keep myself centred. "See anything?"
"Nothing. Are you sure we're in the right place?"
"Anyone seeking aid from the Saica get told to come here, and then the rest should become obvious."
"And who told you this?"
"Hanbei Takenaka."
"Ah." I like to think my expression said it all. And going by Ieyasu's deadpan glare as he started down the path, it did. Flashing a catlike smile to Tadakatsu as I went to follow, I perked up at the small chuckles I could hear from my company.
Throughout the entire hike, we looked around us, searching for any semblance of life and still coming up short. Being a third responsible for a two month old baby had made me somewhat warier than usual of silence. I was almost desperate for noise, enough that I actually turned to talk to Tadakatsu, when we found the Saica. Or rather, they found us.
It'd be unprofessional to reveal who actually set the trap off, and all that really needs to said is that one second I was about to ask what we were going to do about lunch, and the next, I was looking at Tadakatsu between bamboo bars. "What the-" The cage was almost a perfect square and only a few feet wide, giving me no room to swing my sword unless I wanted to be carrying an unconscious daimyo around Kii. "Think you can punch us free?"
"Depends, how much do you like your kidneys?" Not enough room for that either, and neither of us were stupid enough to ask Tadakatsu for help. Instead, the giant armour held his drill tightly, crouching into a combat position when a twig snapped somewhere in the distance.
Budging aside slightly so we could stand side by side, I felt my mouth grow dry as gun barrels suddenly appeared from everywhere, not always with visible handlers. "This," Ieyasu begrudgingly admitted, "Is a very clever plan."
"Glad it has your approval." A strong voice called out, several of the barrels pointing upwards as a woman walked between them, coming right up close to peer at us as if we were…well as if we were in a cage. "We're not usually so lucky to catch two people in one."
"That explains the cramped quarters." Ieyasu nodded, once again able to act as if this was a perfectly normal conversation. At least this time we knew for sure where the guns were pointing. "I presume this was a trap of your invention, Magoichi?"
"Not quite." Magoichi gave a smug smirk despite herself. "But I'll pass on your regards to the men who laid them."
She still made no free to let us go free. And even though we had Tadakatsu on our side, not to mention free, there was no way in hell he'd be able to block that many bullets at once, especially not since being blown up. But the reveal of the Saica's leader also gave me pause. A large and gruff man like the previous Magoichi was nothing new to me, and having met him once or twice, I thought I knew enough to at least ensure my survival. This Magoichi though…she was more along the lines of Nohime, both in body and the holster on her leg holding enough western guns to wipe out a legion of men.
I'd never once had to fight Nohime in more than the verbal sense. Who knew how this woman was when placed as an opponent? Giving a rough swallow, I felt more then saw her eyes move to me, her stance and expression giving nothing away, no matter how hard I looked. Her unnerving scrutiny only lasted until Ieyasu opened his mouth again, "At least you haven't allied yourself with the Toyotomi yet."
"And who's to say we haven't?"
"Because if you had, we'd no sooner been in this cage than you were giving the command to fire."
Not a smart thing to say when the surrounding guns made no sign of shifting their aim, and I relayed this as much as I was able to with a sharp nudge to his side, taking no pleasure in the soft grunt it got out of him.
Once again, Magoichi looked at me, "I'll make no alliances with anyone bearing Oda's blood."
"That must be a rare problem for you then." I finally said, "Both Oda and Lady Oichi died without heirs."
"You still address her with respect?"
"She was worthy of it." At least more than Oda was.
There was a single second where Magoichi stared harder at me, enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, just as she finally came closer and pulled out her pistol, holding it parallel with my head. It was clearly well made, a far cry from the arquebuses Oda had- Why was I admiring it?!
Ieyasu stuttered slightly, clearly trying to think of some way to defuse a situation we hadn't even known had started, when Magoichi sudden moved her arm and squeezed off a single shot, the bullet snapping a hidden cord I'd missed before, dismantling the cage. The initial relief of still having my head was enough that I didn't mind having Ieyasu half on me when the walls fell back to the dust.
Before we'd even gotten to our feet, Magoichi was slouching away, "If you're still interested in an alliance, follow us."
Blinking owlishly, the elation fading, I turned to my company with a scowl, "'Come to Kii, it'll be easy!'"
"I said nothing like that and you can't prove I did."
