A thin plume of smoke rose steadily from my small fire as the sun began to set. I didn't think my campfire smoke signal was working, but I didn't how how else to contact him. I wished our cellphones still worked. I crouched there dejectedly and watched the unreliable smoke curl into the air. I had almost given up until two heads popped up from the other side of the stone fence.
"Sasuke, is this the girl you're looking for?"
"It is," Sasuke said. "Well done."
It's Sasuke! And his friend looks awfully familiar too…
A vivid memory from the night I arrived in this time period popped into my mind. Then I remembered that this was the guy I ran into to that night. And who also saved me from jumping off the cliff too…
"Aren't you the guy who saved me that night," I asked him.
"Ohh,"he exclaimed. "You're the girl who was running toward the edge of a cliff like a wild boar!"
"Wild boar? Excuse me?"
"Hm? That was not you?"
"Yukimura," Sasuke's tone was patient. "I think she's taken offence to being compared to an animal." He turned to me. "Hi Chizuru. I'll be right over."
"Uh, yeah, okay." Forget about arguing with that guy. I have more important things to think about!
"Yukimura,"Sasuke ordered. "Stand watch out there."
"Fine. But hurry up." With a bored shrug, Yukimura pulled his head back down and out of sight. Sasuke climes over the fence and landed on the ground soundlessly. It felt like forever since I saw him.
"Thanks for coming," I told him. "I wasn't sure you would see my smoke signal."
"No problem. I've been worried about you since I learned you weren't in the castle any longer."
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you sooner. Sounds like I made you do a lot of extra ninja work."
"It's fine. Sneaking around is my speciality." Even though he grew up in the future, he's really picked up the art of being a ninja. "Anyway, tell me. Why are you here."
"It's kind of a long story…I decided that I would run out in the middle of the night and try to find you. I didn't think of how stupid that was. I got attacked by a ronin, Ieyasu saved and now Nobunaga's ordered me to stay with Ieyasu."
Sasuke then quickly changed the subject before I could ask any other questions. "The main reason I was looking for you is because I need to tell you something. It's very likely that a big war will soon be starting in the east."
A war? This visit is just getting gloomier and gloomier.
"If war does break out," he said. "I'll have to leave Azuchi. So, I won't be able to check in on you for some time. I'd feel better if I knew you had the protection of a strong warlord while I was gone."
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind." I really appreciate the warning. Looks like it's time to step up my archery training. However, something felt odd about this. "Sasuke, how do you know a war is brewing? Are you involved in it?"
"If you must know…"
Yukimura's head popped up from the other side of the fence again and interrupted our conversation. "Sasuke, we need to go. People are starting to look at me suspiciously."
"Okay. Goodbye for now, Chizuru." Sasuke grabbed Yukimura's hand and jumped over the fence. "It's good I know where you are now. I'll come check in again."
"Sounds good," I replied.
"See you," said Yukimura. "Wild boar woman!"
"Give it a rest, will you?" The two of them disappeared as quickly as they came. Yukimura's just as charming as Ieyasu. Is he really Sasuke's friend? But I felt better now that Sasuke and I have touched base. The news about a possible war on the horizon was disconcerting, though. I was still thinking about what might happen when I got back to my room.
"Where were you?" Ieyasu stood with his arms crossed in front of my door. Great. He was waiting for me.
"Ieyasu? What's up?"
"I thought I told you to get some rest."
"I know, but I was restless so I went for a walk around the palace." I can't tell him about Sasuke. That would raise too many dangerous questions.
"A walk?"
"That right. Anyway, what did you need?"
"You're coming to tomorrow's war council. Nobunaga's orders."
Oh great. What's one more bit of bad news today? "Why would he want me there?"
"Don't ask me. Just make sure you're ready to leave first thing. Besides, I bet it'll prove much more interesting than a walk around the palace." The tension on his face softened slightly as he turned to go.
He must think I went on a walk because I'm bored. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was feeling concerned for me. Either way, I'm glad he bought my story.
When I went to the war council the next day, it was nice to see everyone in one place. I haven't seen everyone together since I moved out of the castle. I arrived in the great hall with Ieyasu and took a seat on the floor. Masamune and Mitsuhide were on our left, while Hideyoshi and Mitsunari were on our right. Nobunaga sat down on his dais where he could look down on everyone. Next to me, Ieyasu watched Nobunaga intently.
"Let me ask one more time," Ieyasu began. "Should Chizuru really be here?"
"It's fine," Nobunaga said. "I wanted the chance to see her face again. Her ridiculous expressions never fail to amuse."
He called me here just to make fun of me? He's insufferable!
"Mitsuhide has news you all need to hear," he announced. "Speak."
"With pleasure." Mitsuhide nodded and cast a sweeping gaze around the warlords assembled in the hall. "I've received a strange report from a scout I sent east. He claims that Uesugi Kenshin is alive."
"What," Hideyoshi questioned.
Uesugi Kenshin? I know that name.
"Preposterous," Masamune shouted. "That war-monger died four years ago."
"Implausible rumours have been circulating in Echigo," said Mitsuhide. "That Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen..two men presumed dead..have joined forces. And that they're raising an army to go after their common enemy, Nobunaga."
I know both of those names. They're famous warlords. Even though I didn't know the details, it sounded like a war in the making. I replayed the conversation I had the night before in my mind as cold sweat rolled down my back. This must have been what Sasuke was referring to. Then a memory of the conversation I had with Reiko at the teahouse flashed back. Takeda Shingen was there. But also Sasuke and Yukimura were also in Azuchi too. Now that I think of it, what are they doing here?
"We need to discover the truth," Hideyoshi said. "And quickly."
"I'll look into it," Masamune said. "I've already secured the western borders. If the rumours are true, I'll finally get to live my dream of clashing with the God of War, Kenshin."
Why does he look excited at the prospect of this? Oh right, warlord.
"Could this be related to the attack at Honno-ji," Mitsunari asked.
"No," Mitsuhide replied. "There's nothing to suggest that. Kenshin would attack openly and directly."
"Indeed," Nobunaga added. "He would never waste time sneaking around in the shadows."
That Kenshin sounds like a pretty reckless guy.
"If the news of Kenshin is true," Hideyoshi began. "Then we must nip any other insurrections in the bud before a war breaks out in the east."
"You mean the assassin at Honno-ji and the ronin who tried to abduct Chizuru," Ieyasu questioned.
"Yes. I know the investigations are still ongoing, but you must hurry."
"I understand."
"As Nobunaga's power grows," Mitsuhide added. "He only gains more enemies."
"That's to be expected," Nobunaga replied. "I am fully aware that the path to unification is a turbulent one."
The tense atmosphere made me hold my breath. Nobunaga was…or is known as a great unifier, but that means he has a ton of enemies. There really was no avoiding war in these chaotic times. As soon as war council was over, I hurried out of the room.
"Chizuru." Ieyasu followed me into the corridor and was soon matching my pace.
Oh yeah, I guess I'm not allowed to go off on my own here.
"Don't make that face," he said.
"What face?"
"A face that's as hard and expressionless as a non mask."
What, was he hoping to see me quivering in fear like Nobunaga wanted? He was right though. My features were pulled taut with anxiety.
"I know you must be worried," he said. "But worrying is pointless and won't change anything."
"What can I do? Is there anything?"
"Just keep quiet and stay out of our way."
"Yeah, I guess that's all I'm capable of."
"Don't get depressed about it. It's irritating. I'm just trying to say…there's no need for you to look so tense."
"Ieyasu," Masamune cut in. "You really need to be more straightforward."
Masamune? How long has he been there? Masamune poked his head in between us.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Masamune."
"You're attempting to say, 'Don't worry Chizuru.' Isn't that right?"
"Mm!"
Masamune would know how to handle a situation like this. He probably has to comfort his girlfriend all the time when he goes off to war. But is that really true though, or just some rumour?
"That's right Chizuru," Hideyoshi said. "There's nothing for you to worry about."
Nothing to worry about, until Nobunaga makes you go to war because he thinks it'll be amusing.
"You saved Lord Nobunaga's life," Mitsunari added. "That makes you very important to us, and we will protect you."
"Hideyoshi, Mitsunari, thanks. That's nice of you to say." As they filled out the hall, the warlords gathered around us.
"Those two are right." Mitsuhide's here now too? "We've faced problems far worse than this countless times."
"Is that true," I asked. Mitsuhide had a sparkling grin on his face and he patted my head.
"Oh yes. This is nothing you need to worry your pretty little head over."
"Hey, I'm not as dim-witted as you seem to think, okay?"
"Anyway," Ieyasu said. "You get it now, right?" Ieyasu put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me away from Mitsuhide's condescending pats. "Just don't let foolish worries make you do something stupid, Chizuru."
"Okay Ieyasu." I nodded and he pulled his hand away from my shoulder. As I looked up at Ieyasu, I felt my face begin to relax. He said it in a harsh way, but the truth is that he's trying to comfort me, and the others are doing the same. When I first got here, I thought they were all ruthless and unhinged. But it's clear from their concern that they're good people at heart.
"I haven't seen you in the castle for so long, Chizuru,"Mitsunari said. "How's your archery practice coming?"
"Great! Thanks to Ieyasu, I'm starting to get the basics down."
"The absolute basics only," Ieyasu added. Uh, guess he's still not impressed. Hideyoshi's shoulders slumped at Ieyasu's critical words.
"Ieyasu," Hideyoshi began to lecture. "You don't act like that while you're teaching her, do you?"
"Of course he does," Masamune teased. "He doesn't know how to be nice."
"Is that a problem," Ieyasu challenged. "I have my own way of doing things, and you can keep out of it."
"I know you're a strict teacher," Hideyoshi said. "But be sure you're prepared to give rewards too. You always need a carrot when there's a stick." Ieyasu shot Hideyoshi an icy glare. This conversation was going in a weird direction. "If you're harsh with her all the time, Chizuru will start disliking you."
"So? I'm not trying to get her to like me." He's still insisting on putting that distance between us. Ieyasu's eyes flicked to mine and my breath caught in my throat. "Mm." He looked away sheepishly, but there was a twinge of pain in my chest. I thought he was starting to warm up to me a little bit. Guess I was dead wrong.
"Ohhh," Masamune observed.
Masamune, Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi grinned knowingly at Ieyasu, who was practically squirming under their gaze.
"Hm," Mitsunari questioned. What? What!"
Okay, now this is getting too weird. Good thing Mitsunari's still innocent here. But I also don't want to get my hopes up. Because I'm not sure. Mitsunari and I exchanged confused looks.
"What," Ieyasu demanded. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh, no reason," Hideyoshi teased. "It's just cute."
Masamune grinned. "I never thought you'd be the first to make a move, Ieyasu."
"We never should have underestimated you," Mitsuhide mocked.
"Sorry," I cut in. "But what are you guys talking about?"
"Nothing," Ieyasu said before I could get any weird ideas. "They don't know what they're talking about. They're mistaken."
That still doesn't explain anything.
"Mistaken about what," Ieyasu," Mitsunari asked.
"Stay out of this, Mitsunari. You'll only make things worse." Ieyasu turned to me with an exasperated sigh."We're leaving, Chizuru."
"Um, okay." He's in a bad mood for some unexplained reason. At least this time he's not mad at me. Mitsunari stared after us with a confused expression, while the other three grinned. Ieyasu went stomping off ahead of me, and I followed with a shrug.
After the war council, Ieyasu was out of the palace for several days. His aide explained that Ieyasu was busy with the investigation into the man who attacked me. I continued practicing my archery everyday, and pitched in with the cleaning and cooking as well. I told Reiko what happened after the war council and she also told me that the guys were actually bugging Ieyasu because he liked me. This is Ieyasu, so I don't want to get my hopes up and then have my heart crushed like that.
One afternoon, I stepped into the garden with a basket the maid had given me. I was supposed to feed Wasabi that day, but I didn't see her. I searched the garden for her and Ieyasu's sour face popped into my head as I got the fawn's food ready. I wondered what he was doing. I knew he was busy, but I had hoped he was not pushing himself too hard. I've been thinking about him a lot over the past few days. As a warm feeling began to bubble up inside of me, the fawn burst out from behind a shrub. There was no time to feel relieved, because she was barring straight toward me on her ungainly legs.
"Wait! Stop, you're…Eek!"
She ran headlong into the basket in my hands, sending me careening backwards. My body jolted to a stop, but I didn't feel any pain. Someone had caught me before I hit the ground.
"How do you end up in so many dangerous predicaments," Ieyasu questioned.
Ieyasu?