Chapter 15:
Hello everyone, it's good to be back. Short chapter this time but next chapter I promise will be two-in-one.
Mitsunari does not appear in this chapter- or does he?
I replied to everyone who reviewed this time. It's fun to answer questions. Please see below :D
Without further ado...
Her eyes stare distantly into the empty gardens beyond the sliding doors of her chambers, her hands trailing smooth edges of a lacquered box.
"You requested my presence, Ieyasu-dono."
A ubiquitous appearance before the young Lord, but first time she had been summoned. Their usual conversations with one another, sporadic, spontaneous- derailed by an abrupt summons.
"I convened with Lord Hideyuki of the Gamo clan. He is considering my terms of peace."
He smiled that handsome known to sweep maidens off their feet. Not that the young Lord was aware.
"Should he chose to unite with the Tokugawa, I can finally place my fists to rest. Japan will be reunited, reconnected through bonds of the common man."
A smile graces her features in reminiscence. What beautiful, hopeful words he spoke. What a dream it would be to end the Sengoku Jidai with an armistice. Her gaze drifted out to the melting horizon. Japan as a whole…
"The council spoke of my arrangements if I were to become Emperor…"
Disguised as a benign remark, she remembers sitting there with bated breath.
"Ran," the Tokugawa heir had dropped the honorific, "the length of our acquaintance is short, but we share the same vision…"
Trembling hands reach into the square container. Her fingers trail along embroidered hollyhocks- immaculate gold on a pale lavender backdrop. The collar swirls with dark branches that must have taken days to sew on. Silk she had never known could be so fine right before her fingertips.
"…stay by my side."
Her memory burns from the charming smile he had given her- a smile that could capture the heart of all princesses of Japan.
"…a gift of my promise to you. You need not reply now. There is time to consider before I return."
She fists the fabric in the silence of her chambers. One of the most powerful, illustrious warlords of the era is expecting her reply. He had even given her time to consider, but woe. All the time in the world would not suffice.
Her hands lift from the furisode that could buy an entire manor.
A kimono befitting a princess.
A kimono befitting an Empress.
Eyes blur. Her mouth wordless, but heart decided.
Screaming the silent secrets she held for so long.
Wailing words without a shadow of a doubt.
Nimble fingers set the cover over the robe. The dark lacquered wood withdrawing with it the breath-taking promises of a coveted suitor.
"Forgive me, Ieyasu-dono."
Megohime of Mutsu: Awesome pen name. Please don't cry- there's a lot of reasons to smile later on.
Rugiku: thanks! I admit the development is slow but it's a lot of preparation.
Konoha'sYellowFlash : I remember when you first reviewed- seemed just like yesterday. Thanks for reading and I promise you will NOT wait forever.
CIoud-09 : you have no idea how happy it makes me when people appreciate the time I take to you for drawing Mitsunari and Ran. they are too cute!
No One Important: no problem ;D
CoffeeTea07: Ah, so smart! You caught the pun AND the name. =D
cdaqtcherry : thank you, yes Mitsunari needs time because he isn't a man who falls fast and hard. Nope.
suzu84: good question. I like their "date" to the market, but there are moments throughout the entire story that I can't live without.
AriaTheScarletRose : if you ready carefully in the past chapter, she already has. Date Masamune. ;D
XionNight : I'm glad you think she is cute, because when I first created her I had thought readers would think her a nuisance. Tiny, annoying peasant- or is that Mitsunari's opinion? haha
Crimson Lotus: thank you for reading. Next chapter will be heavy in content ^_^
Lux Caelum : I am not familiar with the old Japanese calendar so time is measured in seasons described in each chapter. Yes it has been +/- a year.
Happily Insane : Bravo for staying up until 4 and thank you for reading. I hope you continue to be happily insane- life requires sporadic insanity :)
readers: uh..here? :D
Sailor-Levi: NEVER. Lol, I jest. That is the conundrum however, and I will have to figure it out.