Odachi: Japanese greatsword.

Spoiler alert! - Shingen's route

Mai

"Oomph—! Ouch!"

Twenty pounds of a very eager tiger landing on her chest prompt her awake, making her wince and grumble in some pain. The discomfort doesn't last for long, as Shogetsu proceeds to brush his wet nose across her cheek, licking the side of her face he can reach as if to make up for his rough treatment. What a way to wake up, huh.

"Good morning to you too, big boy…" Her groans turn into giggles when the cub's whiskers tickle her neck, squirming involuntarily and making a mess out of her already disheveled futon. "Ahahaha! Alright, alright, Shogetsu. I think I know what you want,"

It's been three days since the tiger started making a habit of visiting her room, whether at night to curl up at the feet of her futon or to be the first to bid her good morning; hence why the second time she'd opted out to place a bowl of water next to her balcony window. She'd have to ask Masamune what he's feeding the boy with eventually, if he keeps intending to stick to her company, although Mai hasn't seen even a glimpse of Shogetsu's owner since their last 'date' of some sorts.

The thought makes her snort in a mix of disbelief and longing. I had a date with Masamune Date. Mom would be cackling and squealing like a fangirl at that. Truthfully, it's just a silly thought she indulges herself with—and she's fully aware he doesn't even know what a date is for the matter—but regardless, she'd be lying if she isn't looking forward to having another.

That, and seeing him again, that is.

Subsequently to their return from the north, her writing and reading lessons with Mitsunari and Ieyasu had come to a halt due to their busy schedule, the former with rearranging and assigning the castle defenses, and Ieyasu with his late investigation of Shingen and Kenshin's rumors. Masamune got caught up in work as well, leaving her to spend her days tending on her chatelaine duties and the company of an unruly tiger while studying.

"You want… a belly rub! Raaaah!" Feigning a fearsome display of claws, Mai pounces on the cub and attacks his soft belly with rubs and tickles. Shogetsu coos and paws at her quick hands, more than delighted with finally getting her utmost attention.

They're so into it she almost misses the knocking on her door. "Just a second!" Throwing on another layer of clothing for modesty and hastily tying her hair, she then gives the signal for the visitor to come inside. Her brows quirk in surprise, although isn't particularly displeased at the newcomer, "Oh, Mitsuhide, it's you. Hello."

Despite being pristinely dressed as usual, his face can't hide some wear and tear on it, leading her to assume he didn't have any beauty sleep. "I see you're with company already. Why am I not surprised?" He smirks after nodding in greeting.

"You mean Shogetsu? It's alright, we're just having a tickle fight." Throwing a blue strip of cloth for the little tiger to focus and play with, Mai prompts herself to her feet and shakes the balcony windows open.

Mitsuhide snickers amusedly. "It's clear you have an affinity to creatures like them. Admittedly, you do look pretty much like a tigress yourself," He doesn't follow her to the veranda, though, shooting her a meaningful look behind those appealing long lashes of his. "It shouldn't be baffling if your kind seems to look out for you…"

The jab is subtle, yet regardless she catches up to it, her breath hitching. This isn't about Shogetsu. "W-what do you mean?" She speaks across her shoulder, hoping he can't see how pale and terrified she goes.

"Oh, I believe you know that, Princess…" Her eyes blow wide, a cold shiver of fear running down her spine. A heartbeat goes, then two, before she gathers her wits to turn around and properly face the slyest of warlords among the Oda. "If anything, the look in your pretty face just confirmed so. I'm afraid you're painfully easy to read,"

Mitsuhide feigns a mortified face, but the sharp gleam crossing his golden gaze all but gives away the enjoyment he seems to find in prodding people.

Mai bites her lower lip hard enough to draw blood, a hand raking through her hair. She should have known better than to pretend around such a dangerous schemer like Mitsuhide, or even hiding from him. They've met in the middle of the street after all, it's all too easy to assume someone may have spotted them talking and words caught up to him.

How screwed up I am, now? He's come to take me to the dungeons, isn't it?

"I… then I'm sure you already know it's not what it looked like." The best she can do is apply some reasoning in her defense, aware that persuasion is hardly a good approach as of then. Her hands begin to tremble, nails digging painfully in her palms, "You've got to believe me, Mitsuhide, he followed me and—"

Mitsuhide seems to notice something else in her face, then, judging by how the obvious amusement suddenly disappears from his, bringing a hand before her so to ask for silence. "Why, there's no need for you to explain yourself, Mai."

Soon, it becomes a silent battle of glances; from her, to figure out her fate, and Mitsuhide, appearing to be trying to read her thoughts. "How can you say that?" Mai says, near baffled, "We just brought a daimyo to custody after just exchanging some letters with the enemy. And you've seen me talking to one of them, face to face. It's pretty clear to me I'm in big trouble,"

A thin silver eyebrow quirk up as if pondering on it, "That is a solid reasoning," He appears inclined to agree, nodding thoughtfully, "Regardless, I still consider your involvement as hardly relevant in the current moment. The matter is being addressed properly, so you have nothing to fear," His thin lips spread wide in a mischievous smile, "… yet."

"That is… not reassuring at all…" She blinks in disbelief, tension still coiling deep in her gut, "So why are you here, then?"

The visitor hides his hands into the sleeves of his white kimono, "Firstly, to inform Lord Nobunaga is requesting your presence at the audience chambers. And secondly, to ask you a question," For the first time in their interaction, Mitsuhide finally turns serious, "Does this man you've encountered has introduced himself as the Tiger of Kai, Shingen Takeda?"

"Um, he…" She stammers for a moment, revisiting her talk with the handsome man in her mind for the tenth time, coming to a sudden realization. "Actually… no, he didn't."

"You're saying you assumed him to be Takeda?" At his skeptical look, she finally understands where he's going.

But no, that can't be right. "Yeah, and still believe it was him but, well… he didn't outright confirm that to my face, if that's what you're asking."

"I see. Then why are you so concerned, I wonder?" At his nonchalant shrug, Mai can't possibly tell whether he's trying to be reassuring or not, "For all it takes you might have seen a ghost or a body double,"

She turns pensive at the remark. As much as she can get people's skepticism towards someone apparently believed to be dead, there are far too many rumors going about for somebody as Mitsuhide to just turn a blind eye on. While he may be in the right for her irrelevancy on the matter—Shingen could positively be miles away from Azuchi by now, and their meeting is hardly of any use to the Oda—and that everyone's currently working to find the truth, it all leads her to presume one thing.

"You don't believe he's alive, right?"

Leaning forward and getting to her eye level, he lands a hand on her shoulder, "Only one thing is for certain, Princess, and that is, no one comes back from the dead." A quite charming smirk crosses Mitsuhide's face, and she honestly doesn't know what to think of it.

Or rather, she feels more lost and confused than before. For all intents and purposes, the man doesn't truly look like the culprit behind the Honno-ji incident and remains to be one of—if not the only—Nobunaga's most trustworthy warlords around. Yet still, what is there with Mitsuhide Akechi? What makes him so reliable to the Oda forces?

Does she even want to know?

Straightening up, his intense golden gaze is quite a lot to bare, "Regardless, I withhold my final judgment for now," With remarkable gallantry, he outstretches an arm to her, "Now, shall we? The lords are awaiting us,"

The meeting is already settled by the time they arrive, having walking without much as for a bare casual conversation to the audience chambers. To Mai's surprise and partial worry, there's no sign of Masamune or Ieyasu around, and no one in the room looks like they're expecting them anytime soon.

Once the two of them take a seat, Mitsunari begins with his report.

"More skirmishes have arisen in Shinano, making it the third episode in less than a month. I'm afraid the situation is escalating to the threat of a full revolt on the province," The strategist hands a stack of papers to Nobunaga, presumably to certify his statements, "We must act soon, or else we won't be able to contain this much further,"

Nobunaga listens intently before turning to his vassal. "Have you got any word from Lady Yoshiko, Hideyoshi?"

He nods, but his face remains stern. "My wife is safe for now, in Owari," The small addition prompts Mai's attention, growing curious. Didn't know Hideyoshi had a wife. Wow, I know next to nothing about these guys, aren't I? "She's let me know we can call upon the Maeda for assistance."

"Very well, then." Nobunaga fixes a look on Mitsuhide afterwards, appearing to be sharing something unbeknownst to the rest of them, but it doesn't take much before he comes to a decision. "I tire of this pointless rebellion. I shall go and put an end to these skirmishes myself," He declares, stopping his vassal the very moment he readies to, most likely, voice his concerns. "Hideyoshi, you may gather your troops and go with me. And Mitsunari, write Toshiie and request him to prepare his forces as well. We are traveling shortly."

Just then, that fearsome crimson gaze lands on Mai, and it takes a lot for her not to flinch—it's a look that definitely doesn't bode well for her, as far as she's come to know the Lord of Azuchi. Please, let it be good. I'll do anything, just—

"I'd need my lucky token to bring me good fortune. Pack up, Princess. I'm taking you with me."

How much has my lifespan been shortened by now? This is a nightmare.

Shaken to the core, rattled, and fighting her shock, she clings to Nobunaga for dear life as he rides into battle. If she once thought riding with Masamune was a pain, Mai can clearly see how sorely wrong she was right then.

"Why did you even bring me here!?" She doesn't even have a single piece of armor on her, and he better not bring up the lucky charm repetitive tape, or else.

"I thought a fireball like you would enjoy a good battle," Nobunaga says matter-of-factly.

"You were so wrong! This is horrible!" Every whizzing arrow passing by seems to be about to pierce her; every angry roar and cry of pain echoing in her ears. "I told you I hate war!"

"What you hate or like is of no matter. You are mine, my lucky charm, and I will bring you where I like." His statements sound just as defiant and elated as the look on his face—crimson eyes blazing, a toothy, wicked grin all over.

And if we were in the present, I'm pretty sure I could bring you to court for that!

Mai certainly wishes she could. She'd much rather be there than in the middle of that killing field. "Oh gods, look out!"

A soldier darts his horse before them as an enemy spear impales his shoulder. "Agh! L-Lord Nobunaga, please, get back!"

"I do not take commands." Her whole body shakes as Nobunaga wheels his steed and brutally cuts down the spearman. Mai's pretty sure she screamed at that. "You there! Fight the pain and stay on your horse or you'll die. Now retreat back to camp and have that wound taken care of."

"Yes my Lord. As soon as the blood is stanched I will be back at your side!" Blood oozes through his fingers as he clutches his wound, the pale-faced soldier riding in the direction of camp.

They're just going to patch him up and send him back out? "What could be possibly worth this?"

She wasn't expecting to get a response, and yet. "Indeed. This is too much effort for a minor conflict in what should be an uncontested province…"

"What do you mean? This isn't how this was supposed to go?"

It's then when a messenger comes trotting through the front lines, shouting in a panic at Nobunaga. "My Lord, a report! We were misled!" Presumably a Maeda scout—judging by the colors of his armor—reaches Nobunaga's mare, looking pale and positively frightened, "This wasn't a skirmish between the territories! A cavalry armed in red has been spotted at the front lines!"

The man falters for a heartbeat, seeming like struggling to deliver the grimmest news of his entire life, barely able to meet his Lord's eyes. "It's… it's Takeda's Akazonae!"

Nobunaga stays very still, gaze flickering with many emotions Mai can't truly figure out what is what—surprise, expectation, unadulterated ire, and a glimmer of relief, even.

"… There you are, Shingen." His acknowledgment comes with a growl, and she can't help glancing warily at the soldiers who'd heard the message, meeting slack-jawed expressions all around. "We're going after him."

Oh, no. Oh, damn—whoa!

All in a sudden, Nobunaga kicks his horse, flying toward the front lines of the battle, his pacing eager and more reckless than what she got sort of used to with Masamune's wild riding. Hundreds of men move across the field on both sides in a blur of reds, blacks and whites, but once her eyes catch a glimpse of a particular person, there's no way she can tear her gaze away from them.

"Give the signal! Let the world know!"

At the sight, there's no doubt he really has earned the name of a tiger, his presence even more fierce and grandiose than the former times she's met him, roaring with a force that could make any lesser man shake their very soul.

"The Takeda forces have returned!"

The aforementioned Akazonae army, clad head to toe in crimson red armor, gives a unified cry that makes the very ground tremble. Riding at their head on an ebony horse, wielding a massive greatsword, is the tall flirt from Azuchi, and the most handsome man she's ever seen in her life.

"It turns out the rumors were true. The Tiger of Kai lives," An amused Nobunaga seems to talk more to himself than to her.

His mumbles sound far away from her, feeling all but drawn to Shingen's figure, somewhat partially doubting her vision. Or that is until his silver-grey eyes meet hers across the battlefield, tongue shaking out to water his lips and smiling delightfully.

Hello? We're in the middle of a bloodbath! What is he doing?

It's impossible not to recognize that narrow-eyed, flirtatious look—there's magic there, something very difficult to attribute to another person but him. It feels as if he's teasingly dangling the keys to her memories on his fingers, whispering 'Did you miss me?'

"Mmh, smoke from Honno-ji and a woman alone at night. Perhaps you're a ghost? Though you're certainly the most beautiful ghost I've ever seen."

"And you're not a ghost. Not now that I see you in the daylight, that is clear."

"I see you miss me already? Don't worry, I do too. I'm trusting you to take good care of my heart in the meantime… Princess,"

While she couldn't possibly have forgotten him, it's also obvious Shingen remembered her the entire time—or has done his homework quite too well. He even predicted they'd meet up a third time. Or did he somehow know…?

"Don't get distracted or you'll lose your balance. Now hold on," Nobunaga returns to a state of ruthless and cold detachment. He glances over his visibly shaken army and shouts in a voice of command, "Keep in formation! We still outnumber them. Do not cower before a ghost. We'll send Takeda back to hell!"

His words rally the soldiers, and they face the Takeda forces fearlessly once more. The spirit of an entire army shifting at the words of one person; that's a lot of power to hold.

The mention of a ghost makes her ponder; Sasuke said Shingen being alive was one of the differences in their timeline—deeming it an alternate one, in which history already changed its course—but he didn't precisely go into details. Even Mitsuhide, within his odd ways, practically confirmed that to the world everyone considered him dead. So, how did he 'die'? And why did he appear just then, apparently years later?

"Nobunaga, why did you think Shingen was dead?" As far as from what recalls from the history books, Shingen died before him in her timeline, but that's about all she knows.

Making it brief due to the current circumstances, Nobunaga tells her of his war with the Takeda clan and how in the midst of a battle, they'd heard Shingen succumbed to illness. His army fell apart, alongside with all the gains they'd made in battle, and their clan was destroyed by the Oda.

"… But he was alive this whole time and he was the one stirring up tension in your territories?"

"It appears so. Mitsuhide will know more of it. I suppose after he recovered, he took his time looking for the right moment to get his revenge." Nobunaga says, "Shingen's not the only ghost though. He's come back with another. Look, Mai."

She looks where Nobunaga points. In the sea of red, a white shadow blitzes through like a bolt of lightning; the man—if indeed he is one and not a force of nature—followed by a squad of his own. "You are the elite of the Uesugi forces! Don't let the Akazonae show you up! Unleash your ferocity on the enemy!"

"Kenshin Uesugi, the Dragon of Echigo. He too was said to have died." Despite the introduction, Mai finds him quite easier to recognize—he was with Shingen the night of the Honno-ji incident. "Not only is he still alive, but he also formed an alliance with his rival, of all people."

Something about the intone of how he says that prompts her attention to Nobunaga. He doesn't sound particularly surprised at this outcome.

Quirking a curious brow, she dares asking, "Did you know somehow any of them would be here?"

"Hideyoshi's wife let out something odd in her last letter. And a report from Toshiie Maeda, one of my generals, got me inclined to believe this skirmish wasn't just a simple commotion between the villagers. Something as big as this was brewing on," Nobunaga admits with a thoughtful frown, "Shingen is a master of espionage. It was no accident that I got that information."

The comment confuses her—so, if she's getting it right, that means Shingen purposefully let Nobunaga know he'd be coming out of hiding? "But if you two are enemies, why would he let you get that info?"

"To draw me out, of course. Only in that way can they declare to the world they are once more ready for battle." He says matter-of-factly, "That's why they caused these minor conflicts in my territory, as well as probably rallying their former retainers like the daimyo you and Masamune dealt with: To chip away at my influence bit by bit." He builds on his answer as he rides, directing his army all the while, "All that was left was to choose the perfect moment to rise from the abyss and show themselves in the light."

In conclusion, Shingen's goal has been to, most likely, stir trouble in Nobunaga's territories and hope for the people to rebel against him, joining his cause instead. That's an incredibly intricate plan, I've got to give him that. She can't help glancing at Shingen ahead with sheer curiosity, her intuition telling her he'd been the sole architect of that scheme.

And suddenly so, she realizes his already herculean figure becomes taller and taller, dangerously approaching him. "You're not honestly thinking about fighting the two of them directly!?" Ignoring the obvious disadvantages of two against one, Takeda and Uesugi are the commanders of the enemy forces.

But Nobunaga ignores her question, once more kicking his horse into a run. Feeling her balance unceremoniously ripped from her again, she flinches, squeezing him harder to find some purchase. Men fall to Nobunaga's deadly blade and the trampling hooves of his horse, more weapons than Mai can even count flying towards the two of them. Either Shingen or Kenshin seems to notice Nobunaga and her approaching at first, but then again, almost everyone is on horseback.

… Or they had been, until then, when she hears a horrible scream—Kenshin barbarically cutting a soldier down before her eyes, alighting from his horse with paradoxical elegance. What is he doing? Doesn't that put him at a disadvantage?

"This battle bores me." She hears him saying flatly, "Here, I'm giving myself a handicap. Now, will someone put up a fight?"

Nobunaga watches Kenshin's act of madness with amusement, "So, it's true what they say about Kenshin's lust for battle."

More like he's lusting for a sword in his chest! He's putting himself at risk because he's bored!?

"Shingen, your battles are dull and they take too long. I might just kill you for bringing me into this snore fest…"

"You know what they say about men who snore, Kenshin!" Far ahead, Shingen smiles wryly before smoothly vaulting off his horse. "I think I'm keeping you from showing off and stealing all the fun for yourself." Back to back with his apparent ally, Shingen hefts his odachi, nearly as tall as himself.

Yet somehow and to her awed eyes, when he wields it, he seems even taller, even greater. "Anyone interested in losing their lives today? Then step right up."

"Any idiots can go and get killed by Shingen. I want to fight the skilled and the brave."

An Oda soldier reacts vigorously, "Take them down and take home glory! Attack!"

Another armored man clad in red steps up. "Protect our lord!"

"Don't step on my account!" Shingen commands, "Concentrate on your own enemies." His velvety voice carries over the loud rush of wind that comes with each swing of his monster of a sword.

He's… I'll admit it. He's kind of wow. Shingen could bring down three soldiers with one well-calculated strike, swords and men falling to the ground before him. Behind him, Kenshin's blade flashes, leaving dead men in his wake.

"The tiger and the dragon. Their fangs are sharp as ever," Nobunaga's crimson eyes seem to be drawn to every strike of Shingen and Kenshin's swords, just as hers are. "Their alliance may prove to be more trouble than I thought."

One of Nobunaga's men come riding towards the two of them, shouting, "My Lord, you must fall back! It's too dangerous here!"

That, naturally, draws Shingen's attention, but those smoky grey eyes pass right over Nobunaga. They stop on her, holding her shocked gaze—and if eyes could whisper, they would say 'Hey cutie'. With all the confidence in the world, Shingen then winks at her, her heart sputtering and stopping for a beat.

… He just… winked at me…

"Shingen, three at a time? Stop being wasteful and save some for me,"

"I would, but you know of my terrible affliction. I have to show off in front of a beautiful woman,"

"… A woman? There's a woman here?" Kenshin's gaze cuts through the crowd with the same ruthlessness as his sword, spotting her. That's not a wink, that's a death glare. As soon as it comes, it melts away as Kenshin's eyes widen in a kind of shock, staring at her for a second like he couldn't believe what he's seeing.

Then, those heterochromatic eyes notice Nobunaga and Kenshin grows spine-chillingly pleased. "Nobunaga… you've come out."

"Kenshin, I shall be your opponent," The mere statement all but screams trouble—she really, really doesn't want to be on Nobunaga's horse while he fights that killer in a duel.

Can I, uh, call a cab?

However, the so soul-stirring duel doesn't happen as all in a sudden, Shingen steps up to his ally. "Let's call it quits, Kenshin. We've done enough for today," He seems to decide in a very nonchalant manner. "Remember, we're not here to kill Nobunaga. Not yet." Surprisingly, Shingen's calming voice is the song to soothe Kenshin's savagery.

The blonde warrior still shoots him a fierce glare, though, "I'm not leaving when the ultimate prey has just offered himself up to me."

"Fair enough. But are you really going to enjoy killing a man when his woman is there, clinging to his back?" Shingen points out, "I thought you liked fighting your opponents when they're in the best possible condition?"

"… Why must you ruin everything, Shingen?" Kenshin's fine features twist into a spiteful scowl. "I'm disappointed, Nobunaga. You've become the kind of corrupt noble who dallies with his concubine on the battlefield? Perhaps a good head wound will straighten you out. Or better yet, kill you."

Nobunaga scoffs, "And maybe next time you come back from hell, you can do so with more sense than bloodlust."

Shingen doesn't let his ally catch on his bait, "Easy now, Kenshin. We'll kill him in time. But the stage isn't set yet." There's a coldness in Shingen's expression that doesn't quite leave as he turns to Mai, "I'm sorry to frighten you with this display, Princess-Chatelaine of Azuchi."

Princess-Chatelaine? So, he really has done his homework.

"We've met three times now: By inevitability, whim, and finally fate." His smoky grey eyes pierce into her very soul, "Are you anticipating our fourth meeting as much as I am?" Every word he draws out feels hypnotizing—like a flute to a snake, moved and drawn by the mere movement of those impossibly alluring lips. "My offer is sadly running out of time…"

"… Wh-what do you even mean by that?" She has so many questions, but as ridiculously tongue-tied as she is, it's all she can do but gape, incredulous and entranced.

"Good questions. Can I take it you're excited to hear the answers at our next meeting? Great! It's a promise!" Mai keeps gawking at that too familiar and dangerously enchanting smile, her heart pounding too hard.

Shingen is Nobunaga's enemy, all in all hers as well, given her status. Nonetheless, the idea of seeing him again is almost too thrilling, the sheer anticipation coursing through her not helping at all. Probably not in the middle of a battlefield, pretty please.

"So, the Tiger turns tail to flee like a coward for the second time." Nobunaga taunts him with a devilish smirk.

"Keep your filthy mouth shut." Shingen's lighthearted enthusiasm vanishes at Nobunaga's provocation, his eyes turning dark and deadly cold—and suddenly Mai doesn't feel like looking at them anymore. "I'll be back, Nobunaga, for your head. Best use it while it's still connected." His and Kenshin's vassals guide their horses to their commanders, the two men mounting up. "We're pulling out, Kenshin."

"… This was a disappointment. The next fight better not be, Nobunaga." The odd retreat makes her confused. Why would they give up in the middle of a battle? Or did they really come with the mere purpose of revealing themselves?

It seems kind of silly, but the honest truth is the further away they get, the better she can breathe, Shingen's magic spell losing its grip on her. To a great extent, she's genuinely glad it didn't come down to a true fight, the current result being grim enough to her eyes.

Nobunaga keeps his gaze fixed on the vanishing figures of his two rivals for a very long time, even when their armies break away and withdraw with their leaders. "Did Takeda know about the flying column I had in wait?"

"What? Flying column?"

"The detachment of troops from Toshiie I kept in reserve. In an extended battle, they would have given me the advantage." So, Nobunaga had his own strategy all along, "It's all too easy to bait the God of War, but Takeda's harder to trap." More challenged than disappointed, he returns to giving orders, "Do not pursue them. No doubt their garrison is empty. They had no intention of staging a prolonged conflict in the first place. Send out scouts to confirm they've withdrawn and once they have, we'll do as well."

Mai had no idea such a violent battle could come to an end so abruptly. However, the repercussions are far from over—soldiers groaning and bleeding as far as her eyes can reach; some men most likely never getting up again. So many casualties for a battle that lasted only a few hours, for a cause that's not even their own. How many more would die if they kept fighting?

Is there anything she could do to help or, at least, turn the situation to a more positive light?

As she asks herself that question, she sifts through her memories of the battle. Waiting patiently at the end of the line is one particularly pesky memory.

"We've met three times now: By inevitability, whim, and finally fate. Are you anticipating our fourth meeting as much as I am? My offer is sadly running out of time…"

What in the world did Shingen mean? What does she even has to consider of his so-called proposal? Is he just expecting her to walk away with him the very moment they meet again?

And, most importantly, what is he capable of doing if she refuses to take his offer?

A-N: HERE COMES MY BOY! HE'S HERE! IT HIMMMMMMMM!

Also, this looks like an opportune moment to mention I'm currently running a 30 Days of Shingen on my art blog, Hoxadrine-art, because flooding y'all with content from my ravishingly handsome tiger just seems like the best way to start the year :D