Update
Uni is quite busy at the moment so I have been unable to write much though I've been trying to aim to the story going so we can get to some mushy parts. (^3^) (I know you're all waiting to see how it develops teehee). I'll try to at least write a chapter each week if I can though I can't guarantee much. Hopefully from mid-June when I'm on break from Uni for a month I can really get into writing this. I'm sorry for anyone who is dying to read more! I try to make my writing flow and sound good as well so I am trying to bring quality out rather than quantity. Also thankyou for reading and if you have time I'd appreciate any reviews, whether it's constructive criticism or just supportive comments. They are what helps any writer keep going.
Chapter 5 - Aniue (兄上)
Keiji stood admiring the stirring display of combat he had just witnessed. Lady Hikari had joined him by his side watching the afterglow of Mego and Aki's fight. It had been how many years now? two? three? he shook his head at his inability to recall the last time he had seen these fiery girls. "I meant to return sooner but I was held up with Ieyasu and Mitsunari again reminiscing about Hideyoshi's earlier life before he became so..." Keiji lowered his head in silent sadness at the thought of the monster his beloved child friend had become. The loss of his friend was still fresh in his mind even though they were currently in a period of peace if one could call it that. Lady Hikari put an understanding hand on his shoulder and flashed a loving smile when he turned his head to confront the hand that had so warmly touched him. He smiled and accepted Lady Hikari's kindness. It had been so long that he had forgotten how at ease he could be around this house and these people whom he treasured so dearly.
"About that letter you wrote me Hikari-hime..." Keiji was cut off suddenly by the high pitch sound of an excited woman. "KEIJI!" Aki squealed. "Is it really you?" If Mego was truly a wolf, her ears would have turned to the sound of Keiji's name being shouted. However, as a normal human she turned her head toward the source of such excitement. It didn't take long for the second cry of his name to come except Mego's came as more a surprise than an exclamation. "Keiji! Hisashiburi*! Wait. Aneue what are you doing up? You should be in bed resting!" she remarked. Lady Hikari chuckled " My dear Mego, if you think being knocked out would stop me do you think I would have ever been able to teach you anything?" she explained with a calm quiet smile on her face. Mego looked down in embarrassment. Of course her teacher couldn't be that weak! What in the blazes was she thinking. When she looked up she remembered Keiji was still standing there. A fun idea then popped into her mind as her lips curled up into a sinister grin. "You know, Aki and I were just getting sick of fighting each other don't you think Aki? What do you say Keiji? Want to see how much we've grown Aniue?" She said deviously as she walked swiftly to Aki's side. She turned to Aki to give her signature face of mischief, one eyebrow raised with her wild thoughts creeping the edges of her mouth upwards slightly. Aki laughed maliciously as she met her trusted partner in crime.
"But Mego, do you think Keiji can really handle the two of us? Surely he is not strong enough to handle the charm of two beautiful women?" she teased returning Mego's look with her own mischievous look. Keiji stiffened at the vibe he was getting from them. He knew they'd gotten stronger, and in years past he used to be able to ward both of them off in their combined attack no problem but now? He wasn't sure if he would be able to handle them. Sure he was no stranger to battle having faced many tough enemies in the recent years, but he was a lover not a fighter.
"Ladies, please, do we need to fight? Can't we enjoy a nice cup of tea and converse in peace? Must we always fight?" he pleaded, opening his arms out wide in a gestured embrace, knowing full heartily that when those two got their heads together and put their minds to something it wasn't going to be easy to convince them to do otherwise.
"Come on Aniue, the count is still 9-0. Aki and I need to at least get one win in before we get hitched and besides, 9 is an unlucky number you know." Mego whined, trying to get Keiji to allow them to have some fun. She couldn't think of anything she'd rather do than battle it out one last time together against Keiji like they had so many times in their younger years. When Aki leaves for Takeda their legacy as the Kitsune hime twins will go with her. She pouted in frustration as Aki gave the puppy dog eye look towards Keiji helping Mego's appeal.
Keiji really had no choice in the matter, aside from the number 9 being an unlucky number, these girls whom he treasured like his own two little sisters were not easy to say no to. Especially when Mego was pouting and Aki was using her puppy dog eyes to melt his heart. He sighed in defeat. There was only really one way to find out how much they had grown, they were right about that, but he had hoped they could have talked things out like normal ladies would. He tucked Yukemichi away and withdrew his sword giving Mego and Aki the signal that he was getting serious. "Ok you win. How can I say no? But I won't go easy on you. After that earlier display I'd like to not be burnt to a crisp if thats ok with you two." He smirked as he bent his knees and spread his legs getting into a fighting stance.
Aki giggled. "We wouldn't do that to you Aniue, but that doesn't mean we will go easy on you. Ready Mego?" she asked turning to her partner to receive a determined nod in response.
"Aneue, you might want to move back a bit to safety." Mego advised. Hikari, taking her words as wisdom, moved back to a safe distance. When she was perceived to be far enough away Mego began the onslaught by leaping into a sprint from where she stood towards Keiji. As she rushed forward with Aki right behind her they diverged into a fork path designed to surround Keiji. Keiji knew this technique all to well, after all he was the one who taught them the maneuver. He braced himself to time it perfectly so they'd end up attacking each other instead of him. Mego flashed a smirk as she came around to Keiji's side and calculated what Keiji's move was. In order to prevent them from hitting him and instead hitting each other he would have to step backwards at the right time. Aki and Mego were prepared for this as they followed through with what Keiji expected them to do waiting for their perfect time to counter. Just as Keiji went to move backwards Mego twisted her body in order to change the momentum and direction in which she was heading and she went straight for Keiji whilst Aki did the same on the opposite side. There was the clash of swords as Mego's blades met Keiji's giant Katana. As he pushed back Mego with force he was met with an onslaught of jabs from Aki's Naginata**. "Heh." uttered Keiji as sweat beaded down his face. They were even more ruthless than before and smarter. He had to switch to offense if he was going to get anywhere with this fight. He couldn't hide his feelings of pride that welled up during the fight as he witnessed firsthand how much these girls had grown and learned. He swung his sword around fending off the onslaught of Aki and Mego who fought with all their might. In the flurry of blows Mego gave Aki a silent signal that the two of them only knew via the look on her face as they lay in wait, waiting for Keiji to pull out one of his ultimate moves. Keiji having decided he had seen enough had already come to the conclusion of using this technique. He pushed Mego and Aki backwards and when he had enough space he started twirling his blade side to side building up wind power, much like Mego's technique which she had learned from him.
"Sorry ladies but this fight is over." Keiji yelled as he swung his sword towards the ground. In that split moment both Mego and Aki split from the line of fire making a quick dash around to Keiji's side and back. Within a flash Mego was positioned at Keiji's back on one knee facing away from him as her blades both aligned with his spine in an attack that if persecuted would have severed his spinal cord. Aki was on Keiji's left with her Naginata two inches away from Keiji's neck. Keiji froze for moment in fear for his life before he realized what just happened. He then burst out laughing. It was a heart warming and nostalgic laugh that Mego and Aki hadn't heard in years. He couldn't believe they'd finally gotten him after all the years they had attempted to best him, and he couldn't deny how proud he was of them both. He knew then that the men they would marry would have gained not just a wife. But also one of the best female warriors in all of Japan.
"I do believe that is our win." Mego declared proudly as she stood up and sheathed her weapon. As suddenly as they had won, she came over with a fit of giggles as Aki joined her and Keiji in laughing at the victory they had just claimed and because it felt like the only way to express the feelings they shared. Lady Hikari joined in the laughter but in a more muffled giggle behind her hand as a respected lady would laugh. It was great to see such joy lighten up the day.
~~~~ Takeda ~~~~
Your lordship I can not face you after returning home without saving Lady Hikari. I am not worthy..." Yukimura lamented in front of his lord having returned from his attempt to save Lady Hikari in defeat and refusing to look at his Lord in the face. He was ashamed that he could be so overcome with a woman with such beautiful long chestnut brown hair and beautiful eye... NO. He couldn't think such thoughts. He had shamed himself and the Takeda clan for his lack of strength in battle. It was unforgivable. " Your lordship, I humbly accept any punishment you deem necessary for my defeat." He stated bowing till his head rested on the floor he sat on. Shingen looked at his young cub and couldn't help but feel a sense of pity for him as Sausuke recalled the events of what unfolded in the battle.
"I can confirm that Lady Hikari made it safe back to her house and has received the care she needed. She sent a message for you stating not to worry as she is in safe hands and recovering well and to pardon her disciples impertinent behavior when rescuing her. " Sasuke scratched the back of his head "Still I do not really know much about these Kitsune hime twins apart from the fact they are the disciples of Lady Hikari. There is no information on their birth, origin or even age." He reported. Shingen then turned to his young cub who was bowed submissively in front of his gaze.
"Yukimura. When you met this girl what did you feel?" He asked in a serious tone. Yukimura quickly sat up to address his lordship as was custom when asked to speak.
"Your Lordship, I cannot describe in words the feelings and actions that occurred at that very moment. I felt a fire light in my heart as our eyes met and I couldn't keep my gaze away. I don't know what came over me but she just stood there as well doing nothing. It was like time stopped and there was only the two of us." He exclaimed whilst gripping at his heart and looking down in shame. Lord Shingen then let out a load roaring laugh. To think, his fiery young cub stopped in his tracks by the eyes of a beautiful woman. It was just to much for the old lord. Yukimura sat there confused, unable to fathom why his Lordships response to his recall of events was an outburst of laughter. When Shingen finally stopped he walked over to his young cub as Yukimura embraced to be punched in the face as was usual when he did something wrong. Instead Shingen ruffled his hair in his affectionate way of rewarding Yukimura for good behavior and actions. His young cub may have already become surpassed him and become commander of the Takeda army through his actions as a promising leader, but in the affairs of love he was still a young cub that needed guidance. Yukimura looked up to his lord. "Yukimura, whilst you didn't rescue Lady Hikari you managed to help ward off the enemy whilst her disciples got her to the medical attention she needed. In your heart you knew she wasn't a threat." Shingen stated. Shingen shared a quiet thought to himself. "I wonder how long it will take him to figure out Aki is the girl he speaks of."
Masamune sat contemplating all that Sasuke had relayed about the mysterious duo that had ruffled them up so much. He grasped at the hilt of his swords as he recalled the blonde haired fox who had managed to get under his skin. He itched for a rematch with her, and to think she was Lady Hikari's disciple? That made him even more excited for the potential of a rematch. He couldn't help but feel admiration for them both. It was a brave feat for them to brave the battlefield in order to save their Lady. He recalled his own feelings towards his army, no man left behind. "Tch" he breathed. Loyal woman were hard to come by.
~~~~ Dinner time ~~~~
Aki and Lady Hikari all laughed at Keiji's imitation of a grumpy 13 year old Mego who refused to wear any hair ornaments in her hair in preparation for a visiting lord. "I'm not wearing anything in my hair for some pompous lord!" Kieji mimicked in a high pitch voice. Mego pouted the whole time whilst Keiji recollected the story and then proceeded to tell the story of when Keiji tried to flirt with one of the local girls only to get chased to the forest past the rice fields by her furious husband who was waving his cleaver around with murderous intent. A roar of laughter ensued through the images it brought back and the fond memories they shared. This exchange of stories went on for hours as they reminisced about the old days and caught up with what events had unfolded. When they finally settled after dinner Lady Hikari took her chance to make an announcement.
"Aki, Mego, I have some important news for you both so listen carefully. Although I may have had a rough trip home my trip to Takeda was filled with good news and success. As I discussed before we left, Aki, Lord Shingen has agreed to take you in as his ward so you might learn the ways of being a lady in a real context." She stated calmly. "Yes!" shouted Aki as she got up and started to dance around in excitement. Mego jumped up as well and started dancing around with her in excitement for her friend. "Congratulations Aki! You're going to be a real lady and maybe even find a striking husband." Mego added giving her an eyebrow raise when saying the words striking husband. Aki giggled like a teenage girl at her friends remark. She was just so excited! It's all she ever wanted, to be a proper lady and to find a dashing husband who she could love and serve. She was ready for a new life and new experiences as would any girl who had been quite sheltered most of her life.
"That's not all the news I have. Aren't you wondering why Keiji is here at all?" Hikari asked looking quizzically at her disciples. They both stopped dancing and returned to their respective seats, listening intently. "I couldn't very well send Aki away and have you mope around here all day Mego. I also knew that you'd be too much for any one lord to handle since you're such a wild spirit. I wrote to Keiji seeking guidance in the matter and he came up with a brilliant idea. Keiji would you like to share it?" She asked him looking at him full of confidence. Mego shot a frown Keiji's way. Keiji laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Typical Mego always thinking I'm plotting something" he thought.
"Well you see, I gathered a woman like you needs to spend some time seeing the outside world before she'd be ready to settle down. So I'm going to take you with me traveling around Japan." Keiji stated as Hikari interjected "That means you'll be visiting lords from all regions as well so you'll have to exercise your lady lessons I've taught you. Perhaps you might find a strapping husband of your own on your adventure?" she chirped. Mego sat with her mouth wide open. She didn't know how to react or feel, she was so excited! Her and Keiji traveling around Japan? How could she ever thank them enough? Aki poked the frozen Mego in the shoulder. "Mego you in there?" she asked. Snapping back to reality Mego quickly turned to Keiji.
"So when do we leave?" she asked.
Authors Notes:
*Hisashiburi = Long time no see (Had to write it in Jap, it's one of my favourite words :P)
** I decided to change Aki's weapon from simply being a 'spear' to a Naginata. I was doing some research on female fighters in the Sengoku period (they exist) and found that they commonly wielded Naginata as a choice weapon as it was advantageous over other weapons. Also women were usually found fighting to protect their homes and as such they had Naginatas hanging on the walls to be retrieved when needed.
Aniue = (Honourable) Older brother.