Samurai Warriors: The Crimson Sun and the Celestial Moon

Chapter Eight: Tears of Friendship? Or Love?

"Kunoichi," cried Yukimura. He dropped his spear and picked her up. He gave a little shake to see if she'll respond. He put his head against her chest, he could still hear heartbeats. Keiji picked up Kunoichi's hat and caught up with Yukimura. Yukimura stood up and ran out of the camp carrying Kunoichi in his arms. Keiji followed once again. "Somebody get me some help!" Yukimura yelled amongst the troops. Hideyori took Yukimura to the recovery tent. "I request aid for my ninja," he said to the nurse as he placed Kunoichi on the bed. "I'm sorry, sir, but you have to leave for now," said the nurse, "When I know what condition she's in, I will send for you." Yukimura left the tent.

"First Shinji, then Akira, and now...maybe Kunoichi," he said to himself. Keiji had finally caught up with Yukimura. "Man chasing you down is worse than chasing after my horse," he said gasping for air. Yukimura sat down next to a tree. He thought about what happen after he left the tent when he was discussing Hideyori's letter to Shingen and Kunoichi. When he left the tent, he overheard the conversation between Shingen and Kunoichi...

-Flashback-

Shingen asked Kunoichi, "Let me ask you, why is it that you protect Lord Yukimura?"

"Because it is duty as a ninja body guard, to fight and to protect..." she began to slow down, "not only that...he's my best friend, my only friend...I protect him because...that's what best friends are for..."

-End of Flashback-

Yukimura could tell Kunoichi was trying to hold back tears. Keiji stared at Yukimura. "Worried about her?" he asked. Yukimura looked like he wanted to burst out screaming. Keiji let out a heavy sigh. "I'm no expert, but you're in love with her, no doubt about that!" chuckled Keiji. Yukimura gave a light glare at Keiji. "She just my ninja bodyguard..." said Yukimura but he felt his throat clog up. He felt tears coming but he held them back. "...and my best friend..." Keiji stood up and threw Kunoichi's hat next to Yukimura. "I'm to assist you all the way to Yamasaki," Keiji started to explain his presence, "Kenshin sent me. I've joined forces with the Uesugi just like you said." Yukimura looked confused. "My offer was to join the Takeda, not the Uesugi," said Yukimura, but Keiji ignored what he said. "Turns out Kenshin found out about your ninja's infiltration at Gifu. He wanted to return the favor, so he sent me to help you out," Keiji continued, "It seems like the Uesugi is going to ally with the Takeda to take out Nobunaga once and for all." "I see...I understand now," said Yukimura. "Umm Yukimura, I don't mean to be rude, but when are we leaving Osaka? Are you leaving in the morning?" Keiji asked him. Yukimura stood up. "I will wait till Kunoichi awakes..." he said slowly. "Umm," Keiji felt uncomfortable to ask but he wanted to know, "what if...he doesn't awake?" There was a long, dead silence. Keiji felt bad for asking him such a question. "I will leave tomorrow morning..." Yukimura responded as he walked off.

Night fell, and the skies were clear but it wasn't a full moon quite yet. "Excuse, Lord Yukimura. Kunoichi is currently resting. Her condition seems critical and I do not know if she'll make it through the night, I'm sorry," the nurse informed Yukimura. He nodded and walked into the tent. Kunoichi was resting on a bed, the blanket covered her up to her chest, and her arms lay on her side on top of the blanket. He walked over to her and noticed her left arm was in bandages. He pulled up a chair beside Kunoichi and sat down. Memories flew through his head. He remember how Kunoichi always fought by his side. 'Let's get 'em Lord Yukimura', 'well, duh, of course we're going to win', 'Woo! That'll teach ya!' Yukimura always admire her spirit, in and out of the battlefield. Then he remembers a phrase Kunoichi always said to him, "Everything is going to turn out fine, you'll see!" "Kunoichi..." he said softly. He couldn't fight it any longer, tears started to pour from his eyes. "Everything's not fine...I should be the one laying there not you. You shouldn't have taken the hit from Hanzo...You don't always have to protect me..." he stopped and thought about what Keiji said earlier, "I'm no expert, but you're in love with her, no doubts about that..." Yukimura paused. "Is it true? Am I...am I in love with her?" he thought to himself. His tears dripped onto Kunoichi's right hand. He put his hands on hers. "This time...I will protect you...Kunoichi..." he said as laid his head next to her side. "...I promise..."

CyNdAi'S NoTeS: Whoa talk about one sad Yukimura. He's very emotion (as you can see) in this chapter. I mean who wouldn't right? Usually it's the girl who cries a lot but now it's the guys turn! –Laughs evilly- Anyways, as you can see the love thingy is really mixing up, very mushy! (lmao) Sorry this chapter was very short but hey tune in for the next chapter, 'The Yamasaki Showdown Begins!'