Chapter 35 - …Future

How does a known liar tell the truth about something that sounds like an outrageous lie?

"So… the shipwreck… I um, may have… skirted around the truth a bit, but I had a good reason. I said we ended up here after a storm – and that is true, but most people assume that meant we were shipwrecked." I gave Shingen the same bland, innocent look I had given Kenshin earlier. "Is it actually a lie if I don't bother to correct that assumption?"

As I had hoped, he laughed. "What am I going to do with you?" He rolled onto his back and looked at the ceiling as if there was an answer there. I remembered the night in the training room when he'd given me lessons in combat – we'd ended up lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling, and I'd been so tempted to reach out and take his hand – well… now I could take his hand. So, I did. He gave my fingers a light squeeze. "Alright, Devil. What did actually bring you here?"

"It was a storm, but it didn't drag us across the sea, but through time. It pulled us over four hundred years into the past." He didn't respond to that, either verbally, or even physically, so I hurried on. "The short version is that I am from the future."

"You're from the future." He said it like he was testing out how the words tasted on his tongue. "Four hundred years from now?"

"Closer to four hundred and fifty, to be completely accurate. Although I guess it doesn't matter whether it is one hundred years or one thousand, right?" I turned to look at him, to see how he was taking the news – mostly he simply looked thoughtful. The way he looked when he received a report of new information from one of his spies and was determining how it fit in with what he already knew.

"It sounds like a wild, fanciful tale." He squeezed my hand again. "Devil… you and the truth are not-"

"I know. We're barely acquainted. If I passed the truth on a road, we'd wave to each other, then the truth would scurry away and wipe its brow over a narrow escape. But, in this ca-" I stopped when he put his fingers on my lips.

"As it happens, I'm inclined to believe you. You're a good liar because your lies are plausible. Whereas, this… travelling through time… sounds…" I could tell he was struggling not to use the word 'insane.'

"I know, even to me, it sounds crazy. Because, really… time travel?" I wished I had some future things to show him. Not just to prove my story, but because I imagined he'd get a kick out of them. I bet he would have taken my phone apart to see how it worked. "In the future, something like this would still be considered science fiction."

"Science… fiction?" I supposed it was easier for him to latch onto the last words I'd said. "Myths about science?"

He seemed to have accepted the premise well enough. "Yeah, it's a form of literature – and also tv and film too, but you wouldn't know what those are, so let's stick with literature for now – that speculates about the science and technology, oh and even politics of the future. Like air travel and landing one the moon."

We… were straying a little from the topic, but his eyes lit up with interest at the possibility of travelling to the moon. "Air travel and landing on the moon then are examples of science fiction where you come from?"

"Er, actually not any more. We already have air travel and the Americans – that's a new country across the ocean –will land on the moon, oh, in less than four hundred years from now. But… we don't have time travel. At least. We didn't. Until… it happened to me. One minute my brother and I were taking a walk around the Togakushi Shrine," which, thankfully, pre-existed this era so I wouldn't have to take another tangent to explain that one, "and it was summer. We got caught in thunderstorm, and a lot of fog and mist, and then we were at this era's Togakushi, and it was winter, and before we could figure out what was going on, we were attacked by bandits – and the rest of it, you know."

He shook his head. "I know you're brave, but even so, that must have been terrifying."

I started to protest… but he was right. I'd been terrified. Terrified that it was real. Terrified that it wasn't real and I was simply crazy. "Yeah… I alternated between terror and thinking it had to be a dream, and that any moment, I'd wake up back in my own bed."

"I'm going to have hundreds of questions about the future and time travel … not the least of which is whether we ever defeated Nobunaga," Shingen told me. "But I need to do this first." He pulled me close, so that I was half on his chest, and held me. We lay there in the quiet, the only movement was Shingen combing his fingers through my hair. "You don't have to be scared any longer. You can take a moment to rest from being brave."

I closed my eyes and let the terrified teenager I had been back then accept his comfort for a little while. It was nice to let someone else take that on. "As for the mechanics, I don't know how it works. If you want a lesson on the science of it all, you'll have to ask Sasuke."

His fingers stilled. "You told Sasuke about this before you told me?" There was a note of jealousy in his voice. I wouldn't have thought he was the jealous type.

"Only after I figured out that Sasuke is also from the future – as is Mai." I once again paused to let Shingen digest that, but apparently having accepted the idea of a single time traveler, it was less of a leap to accept three. "Anyway, he's the one who understands how these wormholes – time doors? – work and when they're due to appear."

"That suggests that you have the means to return to your home." It was his turn to speak in bland, neutral tones, leaving me no hint as to how he felt about that.

"I suppose. I only learned about that possibility a few weeks ago. It doesn't make a difference though. I'm not going to go home and leave my brother still stuck here somewhere." Unsaid was that there was now also this, whatever - this affair? relationship? - was with Shingen. My desire not to leave him, especially not now when I didn't know how much longer … well, I didn't want to leave. "Sasuke's decided to return though – at least temporarily. I guess he's leaving in a couple weeks, and…"

Something occurred to me – would it be possible for Sasuke to bring back medicine to treat Shingen? Except… without a diagnosis – how would he know what medicine to bring back? And what doctor would prescribe medicine without seeing the patient? No, too many variables. But… if four people could get flung back in time, shouldn't it work the other way too? Could Shingen go through the wormhole to the future for treatment? Was what he had curable in modern Japan? I imagined myself presenting this possibility to Shingen, telling him that maybe there was a way to cure him, that he would see next Spring and beyond … but… no, not yet. I was getting too ahead of myself. I needed to talk with Sasuke to find out if it was even possible.

"What are you puzzling out now, Devil?" He tapped my nose with his index finger. "I know that look. It generally means I'm about to acquire more grey hair."

"Sorry. I had an idea I want to investigate." No use giving him hope until I floated this past Sasuke. I gave Shingen my full attention. "You were saying?"

"I know I can't stop you, but I hope you won't do anything dangerous when I'm not around to protect you." He gave me a stern look as he brushed his thumb over my swollen eye.

"It's nothing dangerous. We just talked about this - I can take care of myself." Were we really going to have this argument again?

"And yet less than two weeks ago, you fell into a river." I saw the forehead flick coming before it connected and moved to block his hand.

"Once again, I did not fall." The branch fell. I simply happened to be on it when it broke. And because I really did not want to go over this ground yet again, I asked, "Anyway, what were you about to say before?"

"Is Mai was planning to leave with Sasuke?" His voice was rougher now – he likely was tiring for the day. I ought to leave him to rest soon.

"There's no way she would leave Kenshin, even for modern conveniences like showers and phones. Nor could I imagine that he would let her go." I had given up trying to figure out his and Mai's relationship. It still seemed codependent to me, but clearly it gave both of them something they were otherwise missing. And, Kenshin was growing on me. A little. Besides, I was in no position to judge at this point.

"They clearly feel they have something worth fighting for in each other," he said, then yawned. "I under-" he yawned again.

"And there's my cue to say goodnight, and let you sleep." How long had he been awake before I'd arrived? The shogi game with Kenshin looked like it had been going on for a while. While technically it was still summer, the days were getting shorter, and it was turning dark outside.

"Good night," he said, then rolled us both over, turning me into the little spoon. "You did say you'll stay."

I hadn't said that, and he knew it. However, right at that moment, I felt warm and … I searched through my emotions to find the right word… cherished. I decided to stay until he fell asleep – it wasn't worth arguing otherwise. He'd probably use some sneaky rhetorical tactic on me. Easier to slip away once he was out for the night. "Feel free to pitch me onto the floor if I bother you," I said, as if confirming that I intended to stay. I reached for the lantern and shuttered it.

"I would never do that, Devil." His lips brushed the back of my neck, and then once again, I heard him say, "Good night."

As he couldn't see my face anyway, I kept my eyes open as the room got darker and darker, while I listened for his breathing to deepen. Yikes, I really could fall asleep here too. I bit my tongue to keep myself awake. Eventually, when his rhythmic breathing indicated he was sleeping, I began to inch my way out from under his arm, and I found myself yanked back to him. "Eep."

"Nice try." It sounded like he was holding back laughter.

Huh. He faked me out. I sighed and shifted around trying to get comfortable – which only resulted in my getting tangled up in my clothing. "Honestly, you're probably going to regret this."

"If you keep wiggling around like that, what I'm going to regret is not being able to do something about it," he said. Uh. Yeah. I could feel his regret hard against my tailbone.

Now I was tangled up in my clothes, and it was getting a bit warm in here. "At least let me get my night clothes. I'm all twisted up in this." While I could easily sleep in Katsu's clothing, this was one of Mai's designs and the obi had gotten turned around – or something.

"Wear one of mine." Apparently he didn't trust that I would come back… which, good call. "Or nothing at all?" he added with a note of hope in his voice.

By this time, it was too dark to even find his clothing, and after I whacked my shin on his desk, I heard a clink as he struck a quartz to light the lantern. "Thanks." The lantern's glow provided enough light for me to find the kimono I'd worn in the cave – it looked freshly laundered. Of course, at that point, I was irreparably a prisoner of my obi, and I cursed after my third attempt of unknotting it.

There was a hastily muffled snort of laughter from the home audience. I turned to find Shingen had propped himself up on his elbow and was watching me with that sly grin on his face. "Really? You could offer to help."

"I don't know. Didn't you just say you can take care of yourself? I don't want to offer help if it would be an insult." He winked. "And, I'm enjoying the view."

"I have a varied set of skills and talents, but burlesque is not one of them," I grumbled, as I yanked ineffectively at the cord. Nor is escape artist, apparently, except in the figurative sense.

"You'll have to explain that to me later. Come over here, you're making it worse." His sly grin upgraded to that wicked smile I loved so much. "Removing women's clothing is definitely one of my talents."

"Consider me shocked by that confession," I said, while he worked skillfully to unsnarl the knots in the cord.

"You don't appear to be especially bothered by that either," he noted, as he eased the layers of my kimono off my shoulder, and lightly kissed the bare skin below, setting off that now-familiar reverb.

"It would be hypocritical to complain about something I am currently benefitting from," I said. I was less bothered by the fact that he had a past, than I was apprehensive about the expiration date of my place in his present. But it wasn't his job to prop up my ego.

Instead, I stood up and slowly removed the top kimono layer. If he was going to request that I stay, I was going to torture him – just a little. I took the time to stretch our my arms and legs before shrugging my shoulders so that the kimono slid off my body and pooled at my feet. Well, he had noted he was enjoying the view. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes. Yep, he was watching. I bent over and picked up the discarded kimono, running my hands over the silky material, then slowly and neatly folding it. Then I took my time about putting his kimono on, again taking a moment to appreciate the softness of the material on my shoulders.

This morning I had witnessed Chiyome perform this act in reverse, but I had a much more … appreciative audience?

Or… not.

When I turned to climb into bed, I realized his eyes had drifted shut – Shingen was asleep.

I was right the first time. Burlesque is not one of my talents.

I awoke to pinkish daylight and Shingen's grey eyes watching me. He seemed pretty alert – must have been awake for a while. "Hi," I said, feeling a bit of 'morning after' awkwardness, even though it wasn't 'after' anything.

"Hi." He smiled at me, and kissed me thoroughly enough to chase away any lingering cobwebs of sleep. I could get used to this. Still-

"So, just making sure I didn't kick you or steal the blankets or…" snore. Please don't tell me I snored.

"You talk in your sleep." There was an amused look in his eyes. "A lot."

"I do?" Eek! What did I say?

"If the sounds and words I heard are any indication, you dreamed of me, and per your dreams, I am an incredibly virile and skilled lover – a dream, I might add, I intend to make come true soon." He leisurely trailed his hand along my hip, and the part of me that wished I could remember the dream was drowned out by the part that was mentally going, 'how soon?'

Shingen, however was still going on about my sleep monologue. "I believe I heard you say, 'oh, Shingen, you're a magnificent beast!'" He spoke in a girlish falsetto. "Yes, there, you're amazing. Ooh, yes!"

"You… you're a beast alright, but I'm taking the magnificent out of the equation," I said when he could no longer continue the joke and started snickering. I glared at him. "Laugh while you can, because I am not usually that gullible." Oh, if only I had a modern pillow, I would whomp him with it!

"I know, Devil." He kissed me again. "That's why I enjoyed it so much. That, and the fact that your eyes sparkle when you're trying to stay mad at me."

"You're impossible," I said, but without any real anger, because it was such a relief to see that he was looking better today, and acting so close to his old self.

He confirmed that by saying, "I ought to get to work on all those messages and reports." He eyed the stack that I'd been adding to over the past couple of days.

I got up and stretched, my joints cracking a bit. "If you have anything you want to take care of immediately, tell me, and I'll make a morning delivery run."

Shingen had already grabbed the message on top of the stack. "I'll want to alert my cousin that I'm up and around."

"Yoshimoto?" There was a rattle at the door, and I almost expected it to be Yoshimoto, summoned by his name like Beetlejuice, but it was just a maid bringing Shingen's breakfast. And … oh… my breakfast too. Yeesh. #Castlegrapevine. "He probably already knows. Everyone knows everything in this building."

"Not Yoshimoto. Chiyome. She's my cousin as well. Although I wouldn't be surprised if she also already knows." He shot a quick glance at the ceiling.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were related." Especially since the Takeda charm gene seemed to have bypassed her. But that reminded me of the other thing I needed to float by him. "She gave me tea." Which was back in my own quarters, along with Susumu's fish guts kimono. I made a mental note to retrieve both.

It didn't look like a lightbulb was going off over his head, so apparently the tea had been Chiyome's idea and not his. "She served you tea? That… doesn't sound like her." He sat down in front of the breakfast tray. "You are going to help me eat all this, yes?"

I plopped down across from him and began dishing up a bowl of rice and stewed fruit. "Um, no. She sent me home with a packet of tea and told me to drink it every day… um-" Well… best to just dive right in. "Apparently it's a contraceptive tea."

"Ah."

Which was all he had to say about that. And I thought telling him I was from the future would be the most awkward conversation we would have. "Is it sa-" I started to ask at the same time that he said, "Do you want-"

We both broke off, mid-sentence. He gestured for me to go first. "Is it safe to drink? She wouldn't poison me… would she?"

"I wouldn't think so, but you could take it to the castle healer and have him examine it, if you're worried." He looked down at his breakfast, poked at it with chopsticks, without putting it into his mouth. "Does that mean that you would drink it if it were safe?"

"I would, yes. I hope that doesn't upset you." I would still drink it even if he were upset… in fact, I likely wouldn't have brought it up, if I hadn't wanted reassurance that Chiyome wouldn't poison me. Although I had told her that I didn't think it was poison, that statement had been more bravado than anything else.

"If I weren't sick, I would feel differently… but the last thing I want is to leave behind a child who will never know his or her father." He pushed his breakfast away, uneaten. "Drink the tea."

I had lost my appetite too but didn't have the will to push the dish away as he had. "I'm sorry I mentioned it."

"Katsuko." I looked up at the unexpected sound of my name on his lips, instead of one of the many nicknames he liked to use. "I've had a long time to get used to my fate." He rubbed his chest. "You didn't suddenly remind me of something that I haven't learned to accept. I've known for years that I would never have a family, that growing old with someone and watching our children have children was not in my future." The regret in his voice was more powerful than the words – powerful enough to convince me that losing the opportunity to have a family had been the most difficult thing for him to accept. "I… would rather not remind other people of that though. The look on your face right now … the one I see on Yukimura's face from time to time, is what is more painful to me."

He beckoned me closer, put his hands on my face, and kissed me with such passion and need that I nearly lost all power of thought. "I like this look on your face much better – and I promise to take every opportunity to keep it there."

Yup. Power of thought. Gone.

As if to prove his words, he took kissed me again, before sighing, "Alright, as much as I would like to continue this, we both have things to do. Yours involves your daily death-by-Kenshin. Once you've been resurrected and have finished your message rounds, you can help me sort through these – if you're interested in learning more about tactics and strategy." He gestured to his pile of messages and reports.

"Would I sound too much like Yukimura if I cautioned you to not push yourself too hard? And, you know, take breaks every so often?" I could just imagine that once he sat down to those reports, he would still be at it when I returned.

"You would, but, it feels better coming from you." He settled himself in front of his desk, and drew the pile of parchments and scrolls closer to him.

Yep, he was going to push himself – that would be the second thing I needed to deal with. The first? I needed seek out one time-travelling moderately awesome ninja.