Disclaimer: I don't own Samurai Warriors, only the OCs of my story, SW belongs to Koei Tecmo and its owners.
Patience of the Tokugawa – Prologue Pt. 2
Hamamatsu Castle – Main Hall
After speaking on the topic, both Ieyasu and Sena came to the decision to adopt the young boy Hidetaka into the Tokugawa clan. After the decision, Ieyasu sent for Hanzo to escort the young man to the castle, to tell him something important. A decision that would brig a great shock to all of Japan.
Hidetaka and Hanzo arrived at Hamamatsu Castle, the young man stood in awe of the grand sight of the castle before him. Hanzo then directed the young man inside where he was even more surprised by the décor of the castle, as they walked they came upon the main hall doors and Hanzo led the young boy inside to be seated in front of Ieyasu and his wife.
Ieyasu made the introduction of his wife, Sena-hime to Hidetaka. "Hidetaka, I would like you to meet my wife Lady Sena." Ieyasu happily introduced his wife. "So, this is the little one you told me about my dear, he's just as you described, as my husband said my name is Sena, what is yours?" Sena asked the boy. Hidetaka was now wearing a proper shirt with a Tokugawa insignia on the back and front with some gray shorts. "M-My name is Hidetaka, my lady." Hidetaka stuttered nervously while bowing respectfully at the duo. "He's quite the gentleman isn't he my love?" Sena asked her husband. "Yes, he is and with a few more years of training he could be a proper warrior as well." Ieyasu replied to his wife. That last statement from Ieyasu surprised Hidetaka to suddenly ask the two, "My lord, what do you mean by that?" Ieyasu and Sena then started to heartily laugh with both Hanzo and Tadakatsu sharing a smile on their faces while still watching from behind the screen enclosure.
"What we are talking about my boy is this, would you like to join the Tokugawa?" Ieyasu first asked. "As our adopted son?" Sena finished her husband's thoughts. Hidetaka was so surprised that he seemed to lower his head in what looked to be sadness. Both Ieyasu and Sena seemed to be taken aback, but then the young child raised his head, with tears in his eyes. "Thank you, my lord and lady or I should say father and mother?" Hidetaka said to his new parents with a smile on his face. The two parents then walked up to their new son and hugged the new addition to the family. "Thank you, I'll repay this debt with all my strength, to you both to keep the Tokugawa safe, no matter what." (I'll protect this family I have now, with my life if I must!) Hidetaka said and thought to himself. Thus, the newest addition to family was welcomed, Hidetaka Tokugawa.
A Few Days Later
After a few days of getting used to life in Hamamatsu Castle, Hidetaka was called by Ieyasu to tell him something important. When he entered the hall, Hidetaka saw his father with a warrior wearing a very tall and large helm and wearing a medieval raiment armor. Ieyasu then motioned for Hidetaka to join the two and sat down beside the warrior. "Hidetaka, this is one of my childhood friends who was with me while I was in Owari under the Oda's captivity, this is Mototada Torii, his is going be your new tutor until you come of age to join the Tokugawa forces in battle." Ieyasu explained to his son. "It's an honor to meet you Master Mototada, my lord father has told me stories about your bravery." Hidetaka happily replied. "It's an honor to hear such words from you young one, its an even greater honor to teach Lord Ieyasu's son as well." Mototada responded to the young one's remarks.
"I've also come to tell you something important as well Hidetaka and you as well Mototada." Ieyasu said in a stern voice. "It would appear that Lord Yoshimoto has decided to march on the capital to end this chaos that plagues the land." Ieyasu calmly told his retainer and his son.
"He's sent a message to me that in one month's time he will prepare his men to march on the capital and he wants us to serve in the vanguard to Odaka and Marune, the vanguard of the Imagawa are approaching Mikawa as we speak." Ieyasu relayed the news.
"It would appear the Iio and Ii clans are the one's leading the vanguard they will be here in about one days' time, we must prepare the men for the campaign ahead, I've also head that both Yoshimoto's niece and Master Naomori's daughter are with the Imagawa." Ieyasu continued to explain.
"Hidetaka as you are my eldest, Hamamatsu Castle will be in your hands and I will leave Mototada to help you while he's tutoring you. I must begin preparing to receive the Imagawa and the men for the campaign ahead." Ieyasu finished as he began to walk away.
"Do you think that Lord Yoshimoto can really unite the land, Master Mototada?" Hidetaka asked the warrior. "From what Lord Ieyasu has told me of him it is quite possible, but war is a fickle mistress, that is one of the basic of the battlefield." Mototada responded to the boy.
The two continued to walk until they reached a room and proceeded to enter to find a spacious dojo area with replica weapons.
"Here is where we will start your training young one, there are wooden replicas of weapons, choose what you think suits you best." Mototada pointed to the wall as Hidetaka looked about trying to see which he would pick. He looked until he saw a katana bokken, that caught his eye.
"I think this will do." Hidetaka replied to the samurai showing him the replica. "Oh, the katana, simple, yet robust I think it will suit you best, young master." Mototada responded.
Mototada then went to take a spear replica from the wall, "Know we can start your training, young one."
After a few hours of practice, both men are covered in sweat and are visibly tired. "You are quite energetic young master, I believe Lord Ieyasu will be quite impressed after your training is complete." Mototada said to the young man.
Hidetaka was sweating much, "Thank you. Master Mototada, I hope to continue learning under you!" Hidetaka responded with joy.
"Ha, with skills like that you wouldn't last one minute with me." A young female voice spoke from somewhere.
Out of nowhere two young females came out of nowhere in front of Hidetaka and Mototada, he'd recognized them instantly, "Hotaru and Lady Okatsu, why are you two here?" Mototada inquired. "I saw that father was gone and decided to walk about the castle, who is this boy Master Mototada?" The girl in an elegant blue and red robe asked. "This is Master Ieyasu's newly adopted son Hidetaka Tokugawa, our lord found him all alone in the forest and brought him here." Mototada responded.
"He doesn't look like much." The other girl, Hotaru said. She was wearing a black and red robe just like Okatsu. "We just got done with our training as well, Master Hanzo just let us go for the day." Okatsu said the reason for their appearance.
"W-Well I'm just starting my training, but I'll be the greatest samurai of the Tokugawa, for the sake of Lord Ieyasu." Hidetaka replied with pride. "We're training to be ninja, so I think were more better than some simple samurai." Okatsu said in a proud manner. "We'll see about that, how about we have a duel to decide whose better?" Hidetaka proposed. "Alright, well than let's see how about we have match 7 years from now, we should all be well – trained by then we'll have our matches, as for what to get from it… I don't know, we'll decide by that time." Hidetaka explained the deal. "I see as a witness, I shall remember this promise and tell Lord Ieyasu of it for future reference." Mototada responded after watching the children's spirited rivalry and resolve.
"Alright we'll see you is the better warrior by the end." Hotaru finished with her snide remark. The two girls left the room and stride out.
Hidetaka suddenly exhaled sharply as if he were holding it in for a while. After that he looked to Mototada and said, "Do you think I can defeat them, Master Mototada?" The old warrior answered with a smile on his face, "I believe you can Young Master with that time, I believe you can win."
Few Hours Later
After his physical training, Hidetaka had gone to his room to study, after moving into Hamamatsu Castle, Hidetaka had a room prepared for him, in the room lay a single futon, tatami mats near a round table for amenities, and a large square table that held scrolls and parchment along with a jar of ink and a brush. With a large bookcase next to it filled with scrolls and books.
After a while studying, Hidetaka heard a knock on the door and answered it, "Who is it?" A maiden opened the sliding door and told Hidetaka that Ieyasu had returned with the Imagawa vanguard and wanted me to come to the Main Hall to meet them in person. After a while of preparing himself Hidetaka and the maiden returned to see Ieyasu and other men along with a rather beautiful, yet busty woman in crimson armor. Hidetaka blushed a same crimson after the seeing the woman but turned his attention after his father called form him.
"Hidetaka, I would like you to meet Master Naomori Ii, Lady Naotora, Master Noritsuna Iio, and Master Yasutomo Asahina." After gaining his senses Hidetaka walked up to the men and woman and formally greeted them, kneeling.
"M-My name is Hidetaka Tokugawa, son of Ieyasu Tokugawa, I hope you enjoy your time here in Mikawa." Hidetaka replied nervously. Still stealing glances at the woman in crimson armor. She seemed to notice him looking and she too blushed a crimson color looking away, after a while Ieyasu announced to all of them.
"My lords, if you'll follow me to the dining hall me and my son will take you there." Ieyasu gesturing down the hall. All of them followed to the grand hall to see upon them an array the size a banquet prepared for them all. Lady Sena noticed and walked over to greet her husband and their honored guests.
"My lords it is an honor to see you all again!" Lady Sena bowed deeply to them. Yasutomo spoke up first, "Lady Sena it has been quite some time since I last saw you, you were only a little girl when last I saw you!" He happily replied.
"Ah, it seems only yesterday I saw you for the first time my dear, it is one I will never forget, how is Nobuyasu doing right now? Ieyasu inquired of his wife.
"He's asleep in his chamber next to our room, Lady Saigo is taking care of him right now." Lady Sena replied, but in a rather jealous tone that was passed over by everyone except for Ieyasu.
Hidetaka followed his father and mother to the table and took a seat just to the right of his father and he was seated next to Lady Naotora and her father right next to her. It seemed that Hidetaka and Naotora were still uncomfortable, seeing this development, both fathers decided to play with their children a bit.
"So, Lord Ieyasu, I know about Nobuyasu, but when did this young one appear?" Master Naomori asked the young lord.
"I only found him a few weeks, ago before your arrival, I was out hunting, and we came across him in the forest injured and with fever, we took him back to the castle and cared for him after a while, I introduced him to my wife and after some discussion we decided to adopt the young boy into our family." Ieyasu explained in detail to everyone.
"I see that is indeed quite tragic, does he have any family?" Master Noritsuna asked next.
Ieyasu nodded his head yes. Master Naomori responded, "I see, my daughter has barely any siblings I personally blame myself for that."
After saying that Naotora immediately responded in a panic, "No, father is alright you have nothing to apologize for, I'm s-s-sorry for being so weak."
Hidetaka suddenly chimed, "Y-You shouldn't sell yourself short my lady, you seem to be quite capable if your father trusts you. When I can I'll do all, I can for father and the Tokugawa."
After hearing this response, Naotora's face was covered completely in a crimson color as she seemed to not form words anymore she simply looked down and started fidgeting quite nervously.
Unknown to them both, their fathers were watching the whole conversation, and both nodded to each other seemingly coming to an agreement over something.
"Also, my dear where is Okatsu wasn't she called for to come to dinner?" Ieyasu asked his wife
"One of my maid went to find her, but by the time they opened her door she was gone, and the window was open, she must've went off on another adventure with Hotaru." Sena replied as if not seeming to care.
"Huh, when will those two learn to behave already, I know there training is hard, but to skip an important meal like this is almost an insult, they are both princesses of the Tokugawa, but I guess some things can't be controlled." Ieyasu seemed annoyed but seemed to forget about it.
After a while longer the banquet was finished and Ieyasu told Hidetaka that he was heading for Okazaki Castle with the Imagawa army to prepare to receive Yoshimoto and that he was in charge until his return.
Before they left however, "Father, please be careful, and Lady Naotora… be safe as well." Hidetaka said with worry in his eyes.
"I will uphold that promise my son, I will not die on the battlefield like some dog." Ieyasu told his son as went to pat his head.
Lady Naotora was taken back by the young one's caring nature, "Thank you, Y-Young master Hidetaka, I will be safe, and you stay just as well." She responded with a polite bow as she mounted her horse and began riding with the Imagawa vanguard.
Hidetaka watched as his father, Tadakatsu and Hanzo rode beside his father out of the castle and out of sight.
'I will get stronger for the sake of those I love and care about when the time comes.' Hidetaka thought to himself.
AN: Sorry for the slow update, here's the next chapter of the Patience of the Tokugawa, Hidetaka meets Naotora for the first time and the wheels of history start to move, up next…
The Battle of Okehazama!
AN2: I will be showing a battle up next as like in Spirit of Sanada this tells the Tale of the Tokugawa like the Sanada in-game, so it will be Ieyasu in the first few battles before Hidetaka comes of age.
AN3: Don't forget to favorite, review, and follow.