Update: I hope you like this chapter, It's not as heated as the others but rather more emotional. Anyways I think I might be a bit slow on updating over the next few weeks with final weeks of semester and exams coming up. I will try my hardest to get a chapter out per week like I have been doing so far. As always reviews are welcome and thankyou for reviewing! It helps me make the story better.
Bearing your heart.
It had been five days since Date Masamune had set off into the distance riding home to Oshu and it had been so dull ever since. Mego let out a huge sigh, resting her head on her hand digging her elbow a bit further into her leg so a short bit of pain could be felt. She was overlooking the tranquil garden of the Takeda castle outside her room admiring the warm rays of the sun on her skin and the constant chirp of birds. She did enjoy the down time and freedom but it was starting to get boring and even Tsukiyo, who laid at her feet napping and enjoying the warm rays of the sun, was becoming irritated from being stuck in the perimeter of the castle walls. She would constantly wander around and around the castle walls as if looking for a breach in wall. She had to stay in the castle walls for fear of her frightening the villagers nearby as per Mego's instructions to her. A wolf was not a native nor normal creature to see roaming the land of the rising sun. The only real entertainment they had was during dinner or the occasional Aki and Yukimura complex which involved a lot of blushing and awkwardness from both ends. Just the thought brought a smile to Mego's face, as she recalled the past few days of Yukimura constantly checking in on Aki to make sure she was ok and asking if she required any assistance. He was always so eager to help her and always very enthusiastic when talking to her. Once he left Aki would jump a little like she needed to get out some unknown excess energy and come rushing to her to talk about how charming,wonderful and handsome he was, the usual banter of girl who was in love with a handsome man like Yukimura. At dinner time, the two of them would constantly talk with Aki trying to learn everything about him and the deeds he had done which Yukimura was always eager to tell and they were always full of pride for the Takeda clans achievements. Mego would just listen and smile at the two of them knowing full well how bright the sparks of love were burning for them. There was no other word to describe it other than true happiness and Mego couldn't help but be infected by her childhood friends happiness as well. But it was more than that. She couldn't hide a deep sadness she felt in her heart as well. Every time Aki would get excited about how her relationship with Yukimura was progressing and telling her all about how she was feeling about him, she would always smile and encourage her but simultaneously would feel a pang in her heart. "Arghhh" she yelled as she let out her frustration audibly waking Tsukiyo from her afternoon nap. I need to stop thinking of these stupid things. I need to be happy for Aki and supportive of her. After all this is all she has ever wanted. Tsukiyo tilted her head giving her a questioning look. Mego gave her a petting on the head and scratch behind the ears. "Don't mind me Tsukiyo I am just being silly is all" smiling to her furry companion and leaning back with her hands behind her supporting her tilted back whilst she looked up towards the sky. I wonder if I will ever be as happy as Aki is now sometime in my life. Heh. What am I thinking? Me find love? That's just absurd. Who would want a woman like me anyway... She bowed her head looking down to the ground in sadness as she felt an overwhelming need to curl up into the fetal position and cry. "Mego, are you ok?" Keiji looked down at the seemingly small and sad girl in front of him. He could sense her sadness and couldn't help but put a hand on her shoulder to give her some comfort. Mego jumped at the touch looking up at Keiji with a startled look and wet eyes. "Oh Aniue, you frightened me. Sorry I was lost in my own thought pay me no mind." She said waving her hand about indicating nothing was wrong. Keiji gave her a more serious look as if he were looking deeper into her soul trying to visually find the source of her sadness. She quickly turned her head away to look across the space in front of her as to hide her feelings. "Mego, this isn't like you. Do you want to talk about it?" asked a worried Keiji as he invited himself to sit down next to her giving Tsukiyo a quick pet in the process. "It's nothing important Aniue, I just have had a lot on my mind and I just need time to work it all out." She had a look of pain on her face but Keiji knew better than to press the issue. When she was ready she would come and talk to him as she always did. He lent back on his hands and looked up to the sky. That's Mego for you. Always bottling up her emotions and feelings and trying to understand and work them out all on her own before she bothers to seek help from someone else. He chuckled in response to his own thoughts. "What's so funny?" She shot him her death stare. He looked straight at her. "I know how to turn that frown upside down." he challenged giving her a cheeky grin. Mego's face immediately went pale as she knew what that look entailed. "D-dddont you dare Keiji!" She stuttered as she began inching away from Keiji. But it was already too late. Keiji unleashed his onslaught attacking her ribs with his fingers as he instigated Mego's only weakness, tickle torture. Mego started to roar with laughter as she rolled around flailing kicks and punches aimed at keiji but going everywhere in a desperate means to become free of his tickling. It didn't help that she was practically ticklish all over her body. When she successfully managed to feel a kick connect with Keiji she kicked him away but to no avail as he grabbed her feet, pulled off her steel boots and started to tickle her feet. "Stop Keiji! No. NOOOOO stop.. Hahahahahaha" Mego continued to yell at Keiji trying to defend herself whilst in an absolute fit of laughter which drew the attention of the guards and Aki and Yukimura whom came running at the source together having their usual check in on Aki session interrupted by an outburst of laughter. When they came to the scene they all started bursting out laughing at the scene of Mego and Keiji at war with each other. Noticing Aki's appearance Mego gave her friend the cutest puppy dog eyes she could muster begging her for help. Aki giggled and shook her head at her friend. "I don't know what you did Mego but Keiji never tickles you for no reason." Mego shot her a glare of disappointment as she continued her attempt to escape. Keiji knew she was getting close to surrender but refused to stop till she begged him to stop. Mego knew she had lost this battle and reluctantly surrendered to Keiji. "Keiji please stop! Stop please! I give up, you win. Please!" she pleaded and Keiji, satisfied with his win let her go to compose herself. "Feel better now?" he asked giving her a warm smile as she dusted herself off and put her boots back on. She looked over to him and beamed back an even bigger smile. "You always know how to take my mind off things Aniue." They both laughed together as everyone went back to their day to day business. At least I have Keiji Mego thought as he left her to enjoy the rest of the afternoon sun with Tsukiyo.
~~~~ Dinner Time ~~~~
As they all sat around in a circle eating a traditional dinner consisting of grilled fish, bamboo shoots, miso soup, pickled vegetables and of course the staple of Japanese food, rice. If there was one thing Mego mastered during her lady lessons it was her eating etiquette as she gracefully used her chopsticks to capture food and eat it in a slow and graceful manner as was expected of Japanese ladies. She put it down to her skill with swords as she wielded her chopsticks like one of her swords. They were enjoying another one of Yukimura's stories, this one was about the first time he had fought Masamune. The instant the his name left his mouth Mego perked up suddenly becoming very interested in Yukimura's story. Keiji noticed her reaction to Masamune's name and began to ponder. If she can take on a dragon spirit, could she possibly be the idealistic match for the one eyed dragon? She is as hot headed as he is but she also has a big heart and is more loyal than most to those she cares about. Could it be possible?... He drifted on into his own thoughts as Mego listened with new found interest in the rivalry between Yukimura and Masamune. Aki stared deeply into Yukimura's face as she watched him telling his tale enthusiastically. She wasn't really listening though as she was just too mesmerized by him and how happy he looked. It made her heart sing and beat quicker and her face became flushed from the feelings she was feeling for the man in front of her. It had happened all so quickly, like a key to lock they just worked together so well and it almost felt like they'd known each other for years. Not to mention having spent more time with him and getting to know more about him as a person rather than being infatuated with his wonderful body she had begun to feel like she may have found the man she was destined to be with. What am I thinking. He wouldn't want a girl like me would he? But if he did that means I'd have such a handsome, charming and strong husband. I'd be a good wife too! I can even help him fight in battles. Oh, but Lord Shingen would probably advise Yukimura to find a wife who was stature and prestige. An adopted daughter like me is worth very little compared to others. But still, maybe I can win his heart. Aki began to think of a multitude of ways to get to know Yukimura more and to win his heart. She was determined, the signs were all there and she had never felt so passionate about a person in her life. She never wanted to see him sad, only see him smile and be as enthusiastic as he always is. It wasn't hard for her to know where this was going. She listened intently to the end of Yukimura's recollection as small details are important.
When Yukimura had finished and Aki was asking him more questions about other lords he had fought Mego had started to zone out. To think Masamune and Yukimura's rivalry dated back to when Oda Nobunaga was still alive was amazing. They were just like her and Aki only Mego and Aki were much closer having grown up together for as long as they could remember. She looked at her friend and watched them both as they had such a passionate conversation which started a pulling in her heart that made her want to run away from the scene before her. "It's been a long day and I am feeling tried, please excuse me" Mego said as humble as she could as she got up and left Yukimura and Aki to their romantic antics. She couldn't handle it anymore, the jealousy and sadness of missing what they had was slowly starting to play its toll on her. She let out a big sigh when she was far enough away from anyoe being bale to hear it. An eager Tsukiyo greeted her just outside her room and a just as eager Mego quickly sat down and cuddled into her warm friend. She let out another big sigh. "Oh Tsukiyo what am I ever going to do with myself?" She was annoyed with herself. She should have much batter control over her emotions and she shouldn't be having negative thoughts towards Aki. She decided she needed to go for a walk to clear her head. She went into the garden and headed to the Koi pond on the far side of the castle with Tsukiyo walking beside her keeping her sad companion company. As she reached the Koi pond she walked to the middle of the bridge which was purely decorative and looked over the side only to be greeted by her reflection in the moonlit water. She sighed again wishing she was tall enough to reach down and stir the water so she didn't have to look at herself. What was so special about her anyway? Look at yourself. No one wants you, you're too different for them. Silent tears began to roll down her face as doubt and low self-esteem ran through her conscience. "Your reflection cannot tell you who you really are." Mego looked up startled by the deep voice that appeared next to her. She looked at her reflection in the water and was greeted by the reflection of Lord Shingen. "Lord Shingen" she said as she turned to face him and bowed humbly. "What is it that troubles you young Mego? Your sadness radiates off you." he asked her in a neutral tone. He looked straight at her as if looking into her soul without seeing her face. She looked up to his face and felt a sudden sense of security from the warmth of this gaze and an overwhelming urge to bear her soul to him. "I..." She looked down to the ground and then turned to the water to look at her reflection. Could she tell this man what truly stirred in her heart? She decided to take a risk. "I am ashamed to say that I am having overwhelming feelings of jealousy towards my dearest friend Aki and Yukimura brought about by their newly established feelings. I am so happy for her to finally find something she has been waiting for her whole twenty years of life. It won't be long till she marries and lives the life she has always wanted as a noble lady. Aneue will be so proud of her." Her eyes went soft as did her voice but as she began her next part of her speech her voice started to become sad and distant. "As for me, I won't have such a chance because nobody wants a woman like me. I am too wild and too strong for some normal lord. A wife cannot be stronger than her husband thats just ludicrous and to top it off I am not even of this land. My blonde hair tells all who meet me of my foreign blood, as do my eyes which scare enough people as it is as they are two different colours. I long for it too." she said gripping at her chest expressing he passion and pain for the topic. "A purpose in my life other than myself. Someone who I can share my heart and love with, who can in return do the same. That kind of connection, I yearn for it. But for someone like me, it's impossible." she continued to stare at her reflection whilst she further reflected on the complexity her life was. They stood there quietly whilst Shingen mulled over what Mego had just told him. He had to chose his words wisely as Mego really needed something to help her believe in herself more. "So you have golden hair that shines like the sun and eyes that hold an unknown secret to many, it does not make you any less of a woman as it doesn't make you any less of a warrior. A woman who fights as well as you, who is loyal, brave, caring and smart is a rare commodity that is coveted by many. When I met you and Aki I was surprised by you both. I had never seen such passionate and beautiful women. It was when your battle with Yukimura and Masamune occurred that I realized that the men lucky enough to marry either of you will be some of the strongest men in the future to come. Do not doubt yourself, you have more to offer than most and when the right one comes you'll know." he said as he looked at her reflection in the water. She looked up to him seeing the conviction in his eyes and soul and she began to cry. She felt hope return to her and she let out through tears all the negativity that had clouded her mind. "Thankyou Lord Shingen" she said through tears bowing to him as he walked off leaving her to ponder his words.
Once Shingen left Keiji, who had overheard everything came to Mego's side and without saying a word released her hair from it's pony tail letting it flow freely and took a handful in his hand admiring it. She looked at him shocked and was even more shocked to see him seemingly stroking her hair. "You say this hair of yours is a curse? I say it's the most beautiful hair I have ever seen!" Keiji proclaimed and Mego could tell from his voice that he was being serious. "Aniue don't be silly, you prefer the brunettes and you know it." she joked as she let out a chuckle. Keiji cupped her face in his hands and wiped the tears from her eyes using his thumb "There is no need to cry, you're still young and there are plenty of men out there you know." She sighed sadly. "But I am twenty Keiji, in this day and age I am getting old. Most people don't live past fifty! What am I gonna do. I am not even charming like Aki. Can you imagine me trying to charm a man?" Keiji laughed at Mego as images of what such an attempt would look like would come to mind. And then suddenly an idea came to him. "Mego, you say you think your too wild and strong for you to get a husband right?" She looked at him with a frown. "Yes I did say that... what are you thinking?" He smiled back at her. "I think it's time you met my Aunty, Matsu. We leave tomorrow!"
Author notes: In Japan you are considered an adult from the age of 20. There is a special ceremony and everything at the start of the year on the second Monday of January.
gEmOxOx: Thankyou so much for your review, I realized I've been being too careful on details that I've completely missed putting them in (age being something I should have introduced much earlier). Thankyou for reminding me! I am trying to keep background a little in the dark at the moment because with Mego's case I feel like her background is quite a dark secret and that to come out at an important moment. Other details between Aki and Mego will be revealed shortly. I am about to hit a split between Aki and Mego so I will see if I can manage to keep it up. But thankyou so much for the review and ongoing support. I really appreciate it!