Disclaimer: All credit goes to Shingo Nanami and フクロウ. As stated before, this is a sequel to Indulging You. Enjoy.

噂

Rumor

Part One

Kasane x Nobunaga

"Kusanagi-dono is certainly a fine one."

A young lad who worked as a soldier said.

"I agree, I agree. She's very spirited and sensible and such a hard worker."

"She's slightly masculine, but very cute to look at."

The young men altogether nodded in agreement.

These were the men who recently became acquainted with Kasane through daily practices at the castle.

"Right now, I feel like I'll be fine if Kusanagi-dono becomes my bride."

"Sh! Don't say such silly things!"

One of the lads scolded his companion.

"There are rumors that Kusanagi-dono is Nobunaga-sama's mistress."

"That Kusanagi-dono is THAT Nobunaga-sama's!?"

The first man whispered, while the other burst out in surprise.

The former continued on in a serious tone.

"You don't know!? The whole castle knows of this already! It seems he favors her enough to bring her to battle."

"Now that you've said it, there are a few people who've seen Kusanagi-dono enter Nobunaga-sama's bedroom late at night."

"And the next day they say that our lord placed a mark on her throat…"

"Seriously!? It must be a lie…. For that Kusanagi-dono…"

As the men built up their conversation centering around the rumor, one man's shoulders slumped down, while the other called out to cheer him up.

"That's why it's best if you don't anything weird. Otherwise your head will fly off."

"...Ahh…"

The man feebly bowed his head and weakly answered back.

"However, somehow whenever Nobunaga-sama is with Kusanagi-dono, he is certainly somewhat different…"

"..."

Due to one person's words, everyone remained silent.

"...Maybe Kusanagi-dono acts soft in front of Nobunaga-sama…"

"...Then I'm quite jealous of our lord…"

"For a maiden who doesn't know anything about men to win that Nobunaga-sama's favor…."

The men gazed out with aimless eyes.

"! !"

Suddenly, at the same time a spear lodged into a nearby tree.

The men drew back to see what was going on.

Looking back the spear's path back to its wielder, they met a very displeased Kuranosuke then Inuchiyo, Gorouza, and Kasane.

"Don't make a scene this early in the morning. Such a shameless bunch."

"Kura! My spear- again~!"*

Seeing how irritated Inuchiyo was, they pinpointed that it was Kuranosuke who threw the spear.

Here Inuchiyo is talking about the scene in ch. 6 when Kuranosuke stole his spear to throw it at Hideyoshi. Poor Inuchiyo. That's his precious charm point, Kuranosuke, don't take it away from him.

"Ku-kusanagi-dono…"

The young men paled in embarrassment as they thought Kasane heard everything.

"I-I'm sorry, Kusanagi-dono!"

"I-It was just on impulse, we had no i-intentions-!"

"Please forgive us!"

"Ah, no, I'm not, well."

As each each sequentially bowed down their heads before her, Kasane withered back.

"Kusanagi-dono are you hot!?"

"I shall bring forth some water from the well."

"I shall bring Kusanagi-dono a towel to wipe off sweat when needed!"

Tactfully making excuses, the men all quickly dispersed at once.

"..."

"Ah, um, you shouldn't mind them Kasane-dono."

Looking down at the dumbfounded Kasane, Gorouza worriedly called out to her.

Well it was quite obvious a girl would feel unpleasant after overhearing such delusions from others.

"E-everyone is quite young and… healthy so please look over their behavior?"

"As I thought, the rumor with Tono-sama spread even to here…."

"Oh that?"

It seemed Kasane was focused on the rumor than of her acquaintances' suspicious conversation.

"Even though it's false… Tono-sama and I are not like that…"

In a hopeless tone, Kasane crouched down and tugged her hair in despair.

"...You, really didn't do anything with Nobunaga-sama?"

"Of course not! That rumor is because Tono-sama wanted to tease me! !"

Kasane stressed on her response as much as possible to Kuranosuke's question.

It seemed that the rumors that were floating around now were becoming more indecent.

"There are always some sort of reason to Nobunaga-sama's actions. However, I can't see out lord spreading such rumors to tease Kasane-dono..."

"Then what other reason than to make fun of me...?"

"For example… to spread rumors that he himself laid hands on you in order to protect you from ruffians… something like that."

Hearing Gorouza's explanation, Kasane's eyes widened.

"That can't be it. For Tono-sama to do that."

"No, there are plenty of men that would scandalize young women. Surely our lord had spread the rumor to protect Kasane-dono from such people… After all there aren't many followers that will lay hands on their master's woman."

"...Even so, he should have just told me…"

"Haven't you known our lord isn't the type to say what's on his mind to other people?"

"..."

Kasane groaned at Gorouza's strangely persuasive explanation.

Indeed, if you think of it that way, you would certainly have to nod to the idea that Nobunaga would definitely do something like that.

"...However, he is sure overbearing as usual…"

"It's Nobunaga-sama after all."

It was if that name was just some magic spell that explained everything.

Kasane frowned a little.

"Then don't I have to thank Tono-sama for that…?"

"I'm sure Tono-sama didn't do this to hear any words of appreciation."

Nobunaga was the type of person who placed action before words.

Therefore it's not like he was someone who expected something in return.

That's why he had no intentions of telling the true meaning behind the rumors to the main person herself.

"Anyway, Katane is pretty popular~."

"Hah…."

Inuchiyo, whose timing was just one tempo away from the conversation, chimed in.

That only that he brought in a new topic.

"It's rare enough that low-class apprentices of the samurai clan to associate themselves with the women of the castle. They just happen to have a lot of encounters with her."

Kuranosuke boredly sputtered out.

At that figure, Gorouza smiled.

"What are you talking about? Kasane-dono is awfully lovely, don't you think?"

"Eh? N-no, that's…"

Hearing those words, Kasane shyly scratched her head.

There weren't any girls who would hate being called lovely after all.

"You are spirited, persevering, good at cooking, hardworking. I can understand the feelings of those who wish to have you as their wife."

"Katane's food is good, so I like you!"

"You just only like the food."

"That's right, Kasane-dono. I dare not say this in front of Nobunaga-sama, but isn't it best for you to get married to someone and remain here in this country from now on!?"

As if he thought of something splendid, Gorouza plopped his fist into the palm of his other hand.

"That would be perfect. I'm sure Kasane-dono will do well here. If you do so, there's no need to separate from you."

"Eh? B-but…"

"Then I'll do it~! If Katane is gone, then I won't be able to eat Katane's meals anymore!"

"You stupid dog! Do you even know what you're talking about!?"

Kuranosuke angrily yelled as he lightly kicked Inuchiyo.

Gorouza gave him a look.

"That's right! Isn't Kuranosuke a fine one? You're both of the same age and I believe you two will make a splendid pair."

"HAAAAA!? W-what kind of idiotic things are saying, Gorouza! Me! With this woman! !"

Taken by surprise, Kuranosuke frantically objected.

"For a long time, I believed that Kuranosuke and Kasane-dono were perfect for each other."

"A-as if!"

Ignoring Kuranosuke's loud wawls, Gourouza faced Kasane.

"How about it? Don't you think this is a good plan?"

"But, I have to go back to my family…"

"However, you still haven't found a way back, right? Then if you can't go back, it would be better to do this. If it's Kasane-dono, I'm sure you'll become a fine wife and mother."

"If the time comes, I will definitely go. I believe it will happen."

She firmly retorted.

She will meet her family again.

She will return back to her time.

If she wasn't the one who believed in herself, then how in the world will she achieve, her wish?

If possible Kasane wanted to avoid the topic in which she wouldn't be able to go back home.

"..."

Realizing her solemn countenance, Gorouza's shoulders lowered in disappointment.

"However, you still have the chance to marry, give birth, and live in this warring country. Please do not forget that you still have that choice."

"...Yeah, thanks, Gorouza-san..."

Making sure she didn't seem too eager to go back to her home to Gorouza, who brought out this topic, Kasane secretly thanked him for his consideration.

TBC

You know... after looking through the volumes, I have to say that Kuranosuke and Kasane are the ones who look like they could have been a couple had Kasane never returned back to her home. Well... if Kuranosuke wasn't a big tsundere that is. (lol) Until next time then.