Mai
Outside the castle walls, the sky falls into orange hues, announcing the coming of dusk. As closer as she is of ending with her current errands, her jumbled and unsure thoughts keep her from taking the road back to the gates and her current residence, walking aimlessly across random streets in town.
Taking out the last piece of paper she holds from the breast pocket of her kimono, Mai stares at the drawing requested by Masamune. Worrying her lip, she becomes torn between what she wants and what should really be done.
"… I hear you're having trouble sleeping." Ieyasu deadpanned, not looking up from his reading after receiving her in his office. "It's Masamune, isn't it?"
Her breath caught in her throat—Hideyoshi must have really gone to him, after all. "What? Masamune?"
Ieyasu suddenly closed his book to look at her. "Am I wrong?" He questioned, quirking a skeptical brow.
"Yes… and no, alright," Mai sighed, avoiding his eyes. "Masamune is, in fact, one of the reasons I've been having trouble sleeping. Still, it's no—"
"If you don't want to get hurt, you should cut things off with him quickly." Emerald eyes pierced at her, but there was no malice in it, just his usual bluntness. "You're thinking Masamune's still normal, but I assure you, he's not." Still, the hint of warning in Ieyasu's voice sat her on edge, "Even in these times of war, there's no one scarier to have nearby."
In truth, she never actually thought Masamune had a shred of normality to begin with. However, there was no more inappropriate time for her to be having that exact conversation—not right when actually returning from his manor after having a really nice lunch, and an even better steamy make-out session with. One she was not-so-secretly looking forward to repeating it again in a couple of hours, at least until now.
"And what, pray tell, is so scary about him?" Frustratingly, Ieyasu didn't answer. And without another word, he went back to his book.
A tired sigh escapes her lips after recalling her past conversation, prompting her attention back to the paper in her hands. It had taken less time than most of the other samples she made for Kojuro, but it's not a rushed job at all, and she's actually quite proud of it. Deep within her heart, Mai knows the main reason why that illustration stands out from the others is pretty much due to Masamune showing a genuine liking to her work—a truly inspiring gesture, and something she currently is and will remain very thankful for.
It had to be her herbalist and medicine teacher the one to plant the seed of doubt on her.
"To be fair though, Ieyasu's probably right…" If anything else, she has to be honest with herself. And the harsh truth is, she should consider cutting things off with Masamune right away.
I've got my trip back to the present coming up in some months. Even Sasuke warned me specifically about getting too close to any of these guys. And as much fun I've been having here or how comfortable I am thanks to Masamune, in the end it's pretty obvious I'm just plainly playing with fire…
She's not as stupid as to deny her feelings for him, or their undeniable chemistry for that matter. However, she's nothing but a plain, normal girl, and there are other solid reasons why Masamune Date is called the One-eyed Dragon, with everything that alone entails. Dragons are not just wild, but ruthless, volatile, untamable.
Is it truly worth to let herself be caught within the dragon's maw? Isn't it safer to call it quits before their relationship gets serious—as it is actually on the verge of becoming?
What is she even looking forward to with such a guy?
"Psst!" A subtle whistle suddenly prompts her attention, turning on her heels to find the source, but no one in particular seems to be coming her way, just the usual coming and going of locals and merchants about the streets. Still, the glint of glass against light catches the corner of her eye, making her curious enough as to cross the street, entering a lone alleyway.
A person in green robes seems to be awaiting her, in the safety of the shadows, but it's the shimmer of their glasses what gives them away. "Sasuke…? Is that you?"
"Mai," Her friend from 500 years in the future reveals a portion of his face, pretty stiff as normal, but undeniably him. "Do you have some time to talk?" He outstretches his hand in invitation.
She hesitates at first; after all, it's just her luck to kind of run into trouble every time she happens to head out to town, and despite being her friend, it's an unexpected encounter nonetheless. Still, her doubts only last for a little moment before tucking her picture back into her breast pocket, grasping his hand.
"Sure."
Grey clouds close upon the sky as the two of them navigate the streets of Azuchi, and Mai has to keep up with his quick pacing as they walk past all the familiar places to her and reach the outskirts, coming to a stop at an inconspicuous inn.
"I don't want to be rude, Sasuke," She begins, taking a seat in a room on the first floor of the building, "But if this is about you telling me you work for the Oda's enemy, I kind of already figured that out by now…"
He sits down across from her, speaking in his usual smooth, calming tone, "I would like to explain everything I can, if you allow me." His expression matches the voice as he goes, "Do you remember me telling you I saved Kenshin Uesugi's life right after I arrived here?"
"Yes. And I've heard a little about him since then too. Seen him as well," Mai suppresses a shiver at the mere thought of Kenshin in battle—a thunderstorm unleashing his wrath upon anyone who dared stand in his way. "But even more so, I'm more acquainted with his associate."
"Well, indeed he and Shingen Takeda have joined forces." Sasuke nods, procuring them some tea, yet appearing to be deliberating his words, "I'm currently here supporting a colleague under Lord Kenshin's orders, doing recon work, and—"
Finally, a small frown makes his features on his face move, hesitating for a moment, "Lastly, as Lord Shingen's envoy."
Mai falters before taking a sip of her tea, recalling the contents of a certain letter brought to her through odd means. 'Have you considered my offer? If so, an envoy of mine will meet you soon. I'm eagerly looking forward to our fourth meeting.'
"Does that mean…" Skepticism catches on to her—as much as, in her heart, Sasuke is her one true ally in that strange world they've happened to get caught up to, his allegiances might come to be problematic at most. "Are you trying to whisk me away from Azuchi and bring me to your employers? Is that why we're here?"
"No." Adjusting his glasses, Sasuke is most resolute in that, "I had the chance to work with Lord Shingen to exactly prevent that from happening… much to Lord Kenshin's disappointment," He seems inclined to admit that last tidbit, "I really intend to avoid kidnapping and non-consenting situations on your behalf. It has taken me some convincing to my employer, but we've managed to sway him."
"Hence, why you signed up for this…" Mai catches on fast, nodding thoughtfully, sipping on her tea to soothe the sudden anxiety coursing through her.
With as much as she's gathered from the current time period they're into, Mai knows deep down Sasuke is being honest, thoughtful, and looking forward to her best interests at heart. By catching the eye of not one, but two enemies of the Oda, surely someone else might have taken her against her will already, without even bothering to let her have a say on it.
"I understand your concerns on this, Mai. However, if you'd like to hear my opinion, I too believe it might be for the best if you come with me." He sets his teacup aside, gaze dropping in a way that makes her wary, "Azuchi might become a battleground soon."
"W-what?" Her eyes go wide, stammering, "Explain that, please."
He sighs deeply, "Of all the things I'm willing to, I'm afraid that is the one I can't." With lips pursing, Sasuke goes on to seemingly the best of his extent, "I presume you know this by now, but the Oda had caught word I'm here. To make it worse, some of Lord Shingen's elite spies have already been captured. I can't stay in Azuchi for much longer if I intend to avoid that…"
Sinking in thought, the gears in her head run deeper and deeper, struggling to keep up with the entire implications of Sasuke's long-gathered intel. "But, I don't think it's safe for you to stay either." He insists, looking at her dead in the eye. "That's why I want to extend Lord Shingen's invitation and ask you to come with me to Kasugayama Castle, Lord Kenshin's home."
"I—I see…" Sasuke is clearly serious about everything, and a true friend merely trying to help her out. Regardless, "I might need some time to think about it before I can make a decision like that."
His lips purse again, conflicted, "I wish I could give you that, but we have to leave tonight."
"Sasuke, the people of Azuchi have taken good care of me. I don't like the idea of disappearing on them without a word." And she won't just be doing that—she'd be joining the enemy. For all it takes, they'd very likely see that as a betrayal, and with enough reason to.
She feels a lead weight on her chest, digging her nails into her palms as she frets over the situation. To make it worse, as she flutters her eyes close, the face of only one man comes to mind.
That stupid, reckless, wild, most adorable Masamune…
Setting aside Sasuke's efforts, Masamune is the only guy who's helped her to adjust to life in that crazy time period, and frankly owes a lot more than her vanishing into thin air. In reality, her feelings don't just come from a vain physical attraction, but also for the moments they've shared together; their endless talks, the many things he's taught her, his encouragement and appreciation of her art. Even the damn tiger cub he's taken as his 'pet' and has grown fond of.
And it's hard to believe it's merely been a month or so, and still, she surprisingly feels so strongly about seeing him one last time. I still have his picture. If I were to go—and that's if—I'd want to at the very least do that first.
All of it goes without counting the rest of the friends she's made along the way, such as the kindhearted Kojuro, the hardworking Date scouts, the sweet Mitsunari—and who's going to bring him breakfast in the mornings and help him out on getting a healthier schedule if she's not around?—the ever-worrier Hideyoshi, the sly Mitsuhide. She's even grown attached to Ieyasu, that grouchy porcupine, and has stopped to mind so much on playing Scheherazade and fan dancing with Nobunaga on eventual nights.
"Look, there's something I must insist upon, and that is we're both lucky I found you first." He seems to hesitate at first, but then stretches to touch her shaking wrist, "But as much as I'll understand if you want to stay here, my boss won't take it lightly if you did. And my other boss…" Despite Sasuke's stoic face, the conflict is very clear in his eyes, "I just can't assure you either of them will back down at this point. Do you get this?"
She's not that stubborn as to not believe that—and Sasuke might literally be the only diplomatic approach she'll ever have on the matter. But would Kenshin Uesugi or Shingen Takeda truly go through other more direct means merely to get their hands on a fake Princess like her?
Unless they truly believe I am one. But even so, is that enough reason for either of them wanting to get to me?
"Yeah, clearly it means danger," Mai nods, "But Sasuke, but I just don't know if I really can—"
A frighteningly familiar sound interrupts her—cold, metallic, all but announcing trouble. Which it does as, a moment later, bright steel pierces the paper wall, missing her head by a couple of inches.
"Wha—!"
"Mai! Watch out!"
The glint of it makes it too clear. Sword! That's a sword!
The blade finishes its thrust forward, ending several inches past where Sasuke's throat had been. After harshly pulling her aside, he sets on his feet, and there's a cut no thicker than a hair on his neck. She manages to scramble away from the wall, getting a clear look at the blade that had nearly impaled Sasuke.
Stuck through the paper, its edge shimmers menacingly in the candlelight. "What's the matter? No good women in Echigo? You have to come here and try to steal ours?"
As the sword slides back from view, she recognizes the voice all too well.
Oh gods. I've got a really bad feeling about this.
A-N: I can't properly say with words how healing your support and encouragement is to me, frankly. At the very least, I know I can say writing Stripes and getting to know your thoughts on is something I look forward to, these days when doing anything seems so useless and not worth it.
Having a reason to wake up and get to work on feels like more than what I deserve, but I'm way more than grateful for. Thank you so much for all the love!
To reviewers here: I hear you and I love you so much AAAaaaaAaA! Wish I could reach out to you on another platform to reply back D: - which, in any case, my tumblr is Shogetsus if you're there :3