[Accessing History. Panhuman History. Japan. Sengoku Period. Open File.]
Chiyome didn't know how long she was kneeling in this humble hut of hers. Her eyes burned, both of them, red and tired, with no tears left to cry. The passing of time was unknown to the widow in this village of Nezu. She knew she had responsibilities. To protect and care for the province given to her husband, lord Moritoki. Yet the pain was too much. She had been stuck in this place for what felt like ages, with dead eyes and kneeling in front of the katana that her husband left behind.
Her ears twitched as someone opened the door. She didn't react at all, merely ignoring whoever was here. Perhaps it was one of the servants, coming to clean up the hut. A duty reserved to her, and yet-
"Mochizuki Chiyome."
Her eyes widened in an instance. She snapped her head around. He was not in his infamous armor. Red with a mask that seemed to look like whiskers. Instead, he wore a humble kimono and a handsome face, with only a scar across his eye indicating combat experience.. His wild white hair was cleanly tied up in a ponytail. Chiyome might have only met him a few times, but she recognized that strong voice and that aura of his.
"Lord Takeda... !"
Her voice was weak. Hoarse from the lack of usage the last days, after the period of grief. She tried to stand up, shame filling her. She must have looked and smelled like filth. Sloppily, she tried to adjust her own clothes as she wobbled up. But strong hands touched her shoulders and gently pushed her down.
"Save your strength. You had a difficult time." As she rested on the ground again, Lord Takeda took a deep breath. Then, to her immense horror, he knelt down and lowered his head, knuckles pressed against the ground. "I apologize for not arriving sooner."
"Lord Takeda, there is no need to-" She began to shout in panic, but was silenced by eyes of fury. Fury at himself and the situation.
"Moritoki was under my command. In that battle, my mistakes led to his death. I take full responsibility," he said in a grave tone before lowering his head again. Chiyome weakly shook her head. No. No, she wasn't worthy. Not worthy of this. While she was filled with immense happiness that Tiger of Kai himself cared so much for her husband. But she couldn't allow him to disgrace himself any further. With a pleading look of her eye not covered by her eyepatch, she reached for him. Yet she didn't touch him, merely holding her hands up and close to him.
"Please, raise your head!" When he looked up, she took a shivering breath, before smiling softly, as frail as it was. "My... my husband fought valiantly. He wouldn't want you to do this."
A chuckle escaped him. Lord Takeda raised his head and nodded at her.
"You truly are a kind woman." A wide smile, gentle on his face, appeared. "No wonder he kept talking about you!"
Chiyome couldn't help but blush a bit. It sounded like her husband, but did he have to be so embarassing? What kind of stories did he share? Hopefully none of the shameful ones, like cooking accidents and such. Still, with the small embarrassment and his laughing over, she couldn't help but tilt her head a bit. Her nature as a shinobi and a shrine maiden knew that there had to be more to this visit than just doing one's duty for a fallen warrior.
"Why are you... ?" She trailed off, trying to figure out a proper way of asking. Thankfully the insinuation was enough. Lord Takeda sighed, scratching his chin in thought.
"I know this is... not very proper. To ask this so soon, with your husband gone." Nodding to himself, he took a deep breath, before looking her in the eye. "But I require your services."
She stared at him in silence. Processing his words. Then she stumbled back in shock. Her services. He wanted her close. Close enough so that her curse-
The moment the thought entered her mind, pain flared up in her very soul. Her eye was wide and she waved her arms, trying to keep her lord away.
"No!"
Ignoring any words he might say to her, she tore her eye patch off. Even as the eye burned, wishing for her to suffer, even as she hated herself to reveal such ugliness, she had to convince her lord not to make a grave mistake!
"I-I can't... " She whispered, tears dropping out, tears she believed to have run out ages ago. "I'm a cursed existence... I know that he died because of me... " She sobbed, clenching her eyes shut as she lowered her head. "I-I am honored by your trust, but even if I am skilled, my blood is-"
The warm touch of hands stopped her words short. She could only stare with wide eyes, into the eyes of her lord. For some reason, she was drawn into them. Lord Takeda's eyes seemed to have turned into slits. And even as they stared at her deformed eye, previously covered, there was no judgment. Only... pure belief.
"I do not care."
His voice shook her soul. It was as if the very curse torturing her recoiled at his existence. And perhaps her eyes played a trick on her, but she could've sworn that his hair gained a hint of red color and that the air around him grew warmer. Any questions she had remained silenced in her mouth, as her lord smiled at her.
"May it be the gods in the heavens. Or the curses from Yami." He began to pat her head encouragingly. "I will tear them apart, for the sake of everyone. Your curse will mean nothing to me."
Chiyome could only stare at him with wide eyes. She believed him. It was naive. Foolish, even. Her curse was an absolute existence. And yet... the presence of Lord Takeda. His words. They seemed liked facts. Not mere promises. Could she dare... ? Hope that her curse, the sin of her blood, Orochi itself, might be defeated?
The chance to redeem herself. Her blood line. She was the lone shrine maiden of the serpent. But perhaps supporting this lord, the one who might bring prosperity to their home itself... Not to mention, her husband had died. A place behind Lord Takeda was left open. Wasn't it her duty as widow then? Making up her mind, she knelt, head lowered as she took a deep breath. Her face became an emotionless mask, the training of the shinobi resurfacing with ease.
"I swear. My body. My soul. Even this curse of mine. It shall be your tool."
"I, Takeda Harunobu , accept this oath," he said loudly, his voice booming as he stood over her. Silence reigned, filled with the sacred energy of this vow. Chiyome allowed herself to smile. At last, she found a purpose again. But she couldn't bask in this moment any more, since she was suddenly swept off her feet. Squeaking, she realized that her lord she just swore herself to was carrying her in his arms. Wh-wha-wha?!
"Now then! This requires a celebration!" He announced, laughing in a boisterous manner. As her face was red as a tomato, she began to wave her arms, trying to get off in order to protect both of their honor.
"There is no ne-"
"First order as your master! Loosen up around me when we're alone! You're now under my command! Thus, you are family!" He gave her a smirk, any kind of seriousness from before gone. "Feel free to call me Harunobu!"
"I could never!" She shouted, realizing it was futile to leave. In the end, she could only bury her face into his chest, as she was carried around in front of her entire village.
"Heh, I'll get you to say it one day!"
Was the all mighty Shingen Takeda always like this?! This was so embarrassing!
/
Suffice to say, there were two sides to her lord. On the one hand, the side everyone knew. A cool, calculated genius. Unflinching at other forces, he calmly analyzed the situation and used his soldiers like an extension of himself to dominate the enemy. Then on the other hand, there was the man who laughed with his men. Drank with them, was being silly, liked to embarrass them (her) a lot.
Chiyome liked both of those sides. It made her life as a shinobi so much easier. Not that she wouln't have chosen any other way, but she was truly blessed to have a lord such as him. Now if only he was a bit less reckless at times. She sighed, walking next to him and his horse. Bandits were beneath him. Everyone knew that. Yet he ventured out anyway, requiring "stress relief". For her own heart, she wished he would chose something else. There was a close call, where he was bashing someone's head in with his iron fan and didn't notice an archer taking aim at him.
Naturally, he picked that moment to tease her, saying that 'he had his most reliable cute shadow to protect him'. The men laughed. She was covering her face. Everything was normal. Still, even now, her lord's mood was down. And it was no thanks to the information she had to share.
"Are you sure, Chiyome?"
"My apologies, milord. But it is a fact." She shook her head as he sighed. "The smuggle routes are becoming fewer and fewer. I fear... "
"We might run out," he finished her sentence. Running a hand through his hair, he clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Damn Hojo. Just can't fight me head on... "
She closed her eyes, feeling shame at herself. She should've prevented this. This blockade of the Hojo. Any army required salt. Its uses was near infinite. Preservation. Purification. MAny other uses. But as they were stuck in the middle of the continent, they were reliant on outside sources. Something that the Hojo was more than aware and made sure to prevent them from getting. While they still had some in store, it would not be enough. As she strained her mind, trying to figure out a way to get the salt they needed, a messenger approached them, just as they were near their home city.
"Milord! A group of merchants are offering supplies! Salt, rice, everything!"
Lord Takeda immediately turned to her. She could merely shake her head in disbelief. She didn't do any of this. Where was its coming from. Her lord, shrugging, smiled a bit.
"Huh. Didn't expect people to be that gutsy nowadays."
As the soldiers around them cheered about the turn of good fortune, Chiyome narrowed her visible eye. This was convenient. Almost too convenient. In her mind, she already decided to check every single grain and speck of rice and salt once they arrive. However, to her surprise, the messenger wasn't done yet.
"And another thing... O-one of them is asking to meet you specifically!"
Her paranoia skyrocketed. An assassination attempt? No, they would be too foolish to do it in such an open manner. Unless that was the point. She reached for her blade, ready for combat as they approached the wagons, filled with food. At the front was a hooded individual, seemingly ordering the merchants around them. Suspicious.
"So, who wanted to-"
It happened too fast, even for her and her shinobi senses. One moment, her lord was stepping off his horse and walked forward, the next metal clashed against metal Her lord strained wit his iron fan against the jumping, hooded assailant pressing him against the ground with a naginata of all things. As the attack registered in her mind, Chiyome snarled and pulled out her weapons.
How dare-
Just as she was about to move to protect her lord with her life... the hood fluttered off the head of the assailant. Then, the sheer weight of the killing intent froze the shinobi in her tracks. Fear filled her mind and there was only one word that sounded in her head.
Inhuman.
A wide smile with eyes filled with blood lust. A giddy laugh that was more suited for a little girl playing with dolls. And the pressure of a martial skill that was far beyond anything she could ever imagine. That... that was Uetsugi Kenshin herself attacking Shingen Takeda.
And against all odds, the latter was pushing back. Muscles bulged. Teeth ground against each other. And his eyes became the eyes of a tiger as his hair turned red. A hot aura surrounded him and the smile on Kenshin's face merely widened as she was thrown off with a mighty roar of Takeda. For a split second, there was distance between them. The next, a flurry of blows occured, metal meeting metal, so fast that Chiyome could barely see them.
All of a sudden, the equal balance was upset. The naginata was knocked away. The iron fan followed, kicked out of the hand. Two hands curled up into fists. And then, they met the face of the other with full force. Their heads were knocked back, their feet sliding over the ground. Blood ran out of their mouths at the same time, as the two warriors stared at each other.
Then, as sudden as it came, the killing intent disappeared. The inhuman smile became more human, both fighters grinning as if they were meeting a long lost friend. Kenshin spread her arms open and began to run towards him, an almost flowery aura exuding from her.
"Haru~!"
She jumped, this time into the inviting arms of the Tiger of Kai, who merely laughed with Kenshin as she caught her and spun her around.
"Kage~!" They hugged each other with a force that could easily break Chiyome's spine. Then, seperating a bit, he had his hands on Kenshin's cheeks, raising an eyebrow with a good natured laugh. "What are you doin' here?!"
The girl, because that's what she was at the moment, giggled, patting the taller man on the head even as her cheeks were rubbed with affection.
"Well, I heard that the Hojo performed a mean act, so here I am!" She announced proudly, putting her hands on her hips. Lord Takeda blinked before crossing his arms, leaning forward and pressing his forehead against hers with an amused expression.
"You do know that me starving out would be to your advantage, right?"
"Pah! I fight with the blade, not with salt!" She countered, rolling her eyes in exasperation. Leaning back against Lord Takeda, she smirked at him teasingly. "Besides, if you're hungry, playing wouldn't be as fun!"
"True, true!"
...
Chiyome could only gape at the sight. She heard rumors. But that's what she thought they were. Rumors. There was no way that two opposing warlords were having such a close friendship! No, one couldn't call this amount of affection mere friendship! Were they in love? Or was it something else entirely?
She unconsciously grabbed the hem of her shirt, her chest aching at the sight of those two just rolling in the dirt, like two cubs playing with each other. She immediately shoved that emotion away, for the sin it was and focused on her surroundings. Instead of the answers she found, all she got was... resignation.
"I never understand their relationship".
"Hear, hear."
So this was normal?! Chiyome refrained from shouting, but the question was written over her face as the soldiers, of Kai and of Echigo began to exchange pleasantries, awkward as they were. And before she knew it, it was already night, a grand feast started with the population invited as well with the new amounts of supplies they received.
And naturally, she was seated next to her Lord as he began to feed the enemy Warlord. She was not pouting. Not at all. She didn't have any reason to do so. It had nothing to do with the pain she felt in her heart.
Takeda laughed at seeing Kagetora practically inhaling the meat she was given. Then, glancing at his shinobi, he smiled warmly.
"Before I forget." He ruffled her hair with affection. "Mochizuki Chiyome, my little shinobi."
Her face turned red immediately. He even did this in front of the enemy?! But then, she realized, it wasn't the enemy, was it now? Kenshin, or rather, Lady Kagetora, rubbed her chin in thought, her smile never leaving her own face. Chiyome felt unnerved by it. There was just a hint of something more sinister behind it. A mask that hid something ugly directed at Chiyome. Maybe she felt jealous as well? The shinobi would never know.
"Ooooh, so she has been killing my spies here and there!" Lady Kagetora said, hitting her fist onto her palm.
"Er... "
"You're pretty good!" She nodded in approval before showing her teeth, leaning forward and lying on Lord Takeda's lap this way. "Care for a bout?"
Shivers went down her spine. Her instincts screamed at her that she might die when accepting. Lowering her head in respect, she kept her features steady.
"I... must decline."
"Hey hey, don't steal what's mine, Kage," Lord Takeda suddenly interjected, poking his guest in the face. Chiyome let out a breath of relief and shared a look with her lord. He winked at her, eyes filled with understanding.
"Just kidding!" Lady Kagetora announced and cuddled against Lord Takeda. "You're the only one for me~!"
"You just wanna fight me later," he replied with a scoff as he began to play with her hair.
"Naturally!"
As the feast went on and the cheery atmosphere was shared, Chiyome couldn't help but bite her lip. She... she never saw her lord so at ease. It was as if he was in his own personal paradise. Not even with his closest warriors did he seem so relaxed. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. Was this what a soul mate was? To be so perfect with another person, that you weren't lacking for anything? Would there be no room for Chiy-
She immediately bit her tongue and took a shivering breath.
No. She was married. Even if she was a widow now, she had to remain loyal. And having impure thoughts towards her own lord? She...she couldn't. She didn't deserve it. Her lord deserved someone better. No. He already had someone better, she realized as she saw her lord dancing with Lady Kagetora. And as long as Lord Takeda was happy... who was she to deny him? It was more than enough to settle the aching in her heart, as she saw him get into a drinking contest with Lady Kagetora. This... this was all she needed. To serve him as a loyal tool, even if she wasn't treated as one. To remain as distant as possible, to prevent the curse from having even the slightest chance of taking this from her. She sighed wistfully, giggling at the sight as she took a sip from her drink. These days... she wished that they lasted forever.
But naturally... all good things had to come to an end.
/
It happened so suddenly. It was during their march to pursue the Tokugawa forces in Mikawa. Her lord seemed as perfect as always. The right plans. The right spirit. The right martial might. Yet, for no apparent reason, he was spitting blood at the ground. Perhaps it was fortunate that it was only Chiyome that was around. She hurried to his side, supporting him as he wouldn't stop coughing.
"Milord!"
Her eyes wandered over his body. But she couldn't spot anything. No wounds, no treachery whatsoever. The drinks and food were checked. What could possibly cause his suffering?!
"Heh... figures... " Lord Takeda muttered before violently coughing again, his hand beginning to stain red. Chiyome felt terror grasp her heart and she shot up. No. Nononono, this had to be a mistake. She needed to get help!
"I will call the docto-"
"No need."
The voice was utterly calm and the grasp on her hand was just as strong as ever. Yet Chiyome could only turn her head around in incomprehension.
"Eh?"
The coughing had stopped. But his skin was still too pale, the blood out of place. Why-why shouldn't she get someone? However, as he gestured for he to sit down, she heeded his wish. Kneeling in front of him, Lord Takeda closed his eyes, as if making a decision. Then, when he opened them, it seemed like his eyes were apologizing. For what, Chiyome had no idea.
"Chiyome. You are the best shinobi I could wish for. But I need you to stretch the limits of your abilities."
"What are you-"
He raised his hand to interrupt her. Nodding slowly, he put his hands on her shoulders, giving them a squeeze.
"Do not let anyone know that anything is wrong with me. Buy my son... my clan time."
She processed the words, yet couldn't find the meaning. That order... it assumed there was something wrong at all. As if he was doomed to... Chiyome began to hyperventilate. Shaking her head, she pushed his hands away, a sin she didn't even register committing.
"T-time for what? Milord, don't talk like that!"
"Chiyome, plea-"
"You promised!" She screamed, tears running down her eye. A part of her was ashamed for this act, but at the moment, she didn't care. Clutching her chest, her voice became hysterical. "You promised that my curse wouldn't-"
"It's not!" Lord Takeda screamed. Yet Chiyome shook her head, not wanting to listen. It was her fault, of course it was. That cursed existence couldn't be denied. Not even the greatest man she knew could stop it. The negative thoughts piled up, as her soul and body began to be filled with pain, the curse finding an opening.
Yet, just like in their first meeting, hands clapped against her cheeks and held her head into position. The familiar warmth returned and she was forced to raise her head.
"Look at me!"
His face was contorted in pain. Even as his eyes and hair began to change, she could clearly see the strain it did. Yet she couldn't object. She could only listen now.
"This? This isn't your fault. It's never your fault," he emphasized. A weak smile appeared on his face. "It's bad luck. Or just me overdoing it. But never, never, is it anyone's fault." He removed his hands and his shoulders slumped in acceptance. He nodded to himself before looking up, expression in peace. "I'm a human. We die eventually, sooner or later. With me... it's sooner."
Not him, she wanted to say. He couldn't die. He mustn't. He was the hope of Japan. He... he was her hope. Yet she couldn't say anything. Her voice was silenced and she had to accept the truth.
"Please. Promise me. Promise me you will tell Kagetora. And protect the clan in my stead."
This was goodbye. Her lord would die. She would never see him again, if she would follow his last orders. Every moment counted against Oda Nobunaga. She wouldn't have time to attend his funeral, wouldn't have time to grief or anything. In that moment, a choice opened up in front of her. The one choice was doing just that. Following orders. Wasn't that what she choose as her life? To swear loyalty and offer her everything to the bitter end? Yet there was another choice. He would hate her. She would hate herself.
But he would live. To try everything in her might, to search every place imaginable, to save him. To commit every atrocity and pact to get a chance for him to live. She grit her teeth, her heart already leaning towards one choice.
But then. As she looked around, trying to decide, she met his eyes. It wasn't something she wanted to do. She knew what would happen when she did. But seeing the plead and absolute trust of her master's eyes... She couldn't help but scoff, a frail smile on her face.
It wasn't a choice. Not one she could make if she truly loved her master. She couldn't betray him. Never. Reaching for his hands, she grabbed them and held them against her forehead. Her eyes were closed, tears flowing freely as her voice hitched.
"I promise... Harunobu."
"Finally got you to say my name, heh?" He coughed, a sound filling her with agony. Taking deep, calm breaths, he didn't wrapped his arms against her, patting her back as he did so. "It's fine, Chiyome. You'll be just fine... "
I love you.
She never uttered those words. She didn't want to give him another regret at death's door. Thus…Mochizuki Chiyome, the loyal shinobi of Takeda Harunobu, disappeared from the history books from now on, despair barely restrained by loyalty in her heart.
/
The shinobi breathed heavily, a sharp pain in her abdomen. It was raining heavily, the water pressing her already weak body down. Yet she kept moving. Kept stumbling her way through the forest, as she heard her pursuer's searching for her. Even as blood seeped out of her, her curse actively trying to kill her already weak existence, she kept on moving.
No. Not yet. She still had orders to fulfill.
The message was delivered. Kagetora... she was in denial. Promised to kill Chiyome if she ever appeared in front of her again. And as always, the inhuman smile was in place. A part of Chiyome wanted to believe that it was just her way of caring. To be so offended at the mere idea of her lord being dead. She would never know. Only Harunobu understood Kagetora.
With that duty fulfilled, she had thrown herself at her remaining mission. As a shadow, forgotten and believed dead by the clan she was protecting with all her might. Yet as bright as Harunobu's heir was, it took her entire existence to delay and disrupt the Oda army as much as she did. They would lose.
Because of that, she committed this mistake. She fell down on the ground, the wet dirt staining her face. Breathing became more difficult. Yet Chiyome reached forward and tried to find something solid to grab in the mud to drag herself forward.
The attempt to kill Nobunaga failed. And the image of a group of monsters was seared in her head. The Takeda clan as it was now had no chance against them. Not without her. The rain flowed down her face, as she tried to crawl forward. Yet her arm fell down, too weak to move anymore. She began to feel cold, with the rain and mud staining her body, feeling her own warmth seeping out of her body.
In the end... she failed. Even with that knowledge, she could only close her eyes, seeing the image of the two men she had loved in her life appearing in front of her.
"Did... did I do good.. Moritoki... Haru... no... bu…?"
Her final breath was taken, spent to ask this question of a girl, lonely and yearning for salvation.