Update: Hi guys! It seems like I'll be getting a chapter out every two weeks depending on my schedule. Uni and work have been busy so I've been unable to update much. But I'll keep posting so don't worry. Thankyou for the continuing support!
-chapter will be corrected later as I had no time to edit much- Please enjoy otherwise!
Mego was mounted on Kinfu awaiting Masamune to send her off. She felt a bit fluttery as well as nervous as the familiar steps of the Boss of Oshu came to ear. She looked over to see him in his usual casual dress but today it was different. His eyes looked deeper and more mysterious, his torso more broad and strong giving a vibe of safety and his overall posture and height made him look so manly. Mego's heart began to speed up as she soaked him up through her eyes, and she remembered their conversation last night. She calmly swallowed the lump in her throat as she bowed politely awaiting Masamune's dismissal.
"Good morning Masamune." He smiled at her greeting.
"Good morning Mego. I trust you are well rested and prepared for your journey?" Masamune looked over the two soldiers he had assigned to accompany her trip. The looked attentive, and so they should when they were being charged with his precious ward.
"Make sure you send word when you arrive. And don't talk to strangers, you don't when and where the banner less men will strike." Masamune wanted desperately to accompany her to the Takeda province but he couldn't risk leaving his lands at the moment and Mego had clearly needed some space. Mego giggled at Masamune's worry.
" If you keep worrying like that you'll become an old man before you are even a father." He pricked up at father, his heart giving a slight flutter. The word resounding in his head he became lost in it with a slight blush developing on his cheeks.
"Who are you calling old man? I'm not worried about you, but if you get hurt as our ward it wont look good to other clans." He crossed his arms and stood up tall as if to hide the true feelings he was feeling behind her words. She laughed again at him.
"I'll be fine Masamune, I'll be back in five days hence. Don't give Kojuro too much grief." She winked at Kojuro who grinned back at her.
She set off with her escorts for Aki. Mego felt a sense of relief and a growing sadness as she left behind Masamune and Oshu.
~~~ Aki ~~~
The sun began to rise as an impatient Yukimura, who had woken up an hour early due to his anxiousness, stopped his morning training to get dressed and make haste to Aki's chambers. He'd made a promise to himself to properly apologize to her for his behavior yesterday. He'd thought about her a lot that night. Her cute smile and caring nature, the way she was eager to learn and help out, the way she felt in his arms when he taught her how to fight. He was starting to see things he hadn't seen at first, yet it was all still so confusing to him. What is love? Is it this burning feeling I feel in my heart when I think about her? He washed his face to refresh himself and then satisfied he was appropriate to see Aki he headed off to her room.
Aki woke up to the soft chirp of sparrows outside her window, she felt groggy from crying but also because her quality of sleep had been minuscule at best. She got up and dressed herself for the day. She was prepared to try and face the day at least, and work on how to deal with Yukimura later. As she was putting away her futon there was a soft knock at the door and then a familiar voice.
"Aki-hime are you there? I was wondering if you would let me talk to you. Would you accompany me for a walk?" Aki stared at the door in disbelief. She hadn't expected to be graced by his presence this early. She contemplated it for a moment before deciding it was a good idea considering he'd come obviously to apologize for yesterday. Silly Yukimura.
She opened the door to find Yukimura on his knees in front of the door. He looked up at her and smiled in joy before realizing he was supposed to be apologizing and promptly bowing down to her with his hands on the floor.
"My sincerest apologies Aki-hime. I never meant to offend you or upset you." She looked down at him and her heart melted. She couldn't stay angry at him for very long, not when he was being so humble.
"It's ok. How about that walk?" She suggested to break the slowly increasing awkwardness of the situation. Yukimura looked up at her and nodded.
They walked through the garden enjoying the sounds of animals waking up to the new day and the bustling of the castle as maids and soldiers began to start their daily routines. Yukimura and Aki walked side by side in silence, enjoying the scenery and tranquility of the morning. As they made their way to the middle of the bridge on the koi pond Yukimura suddenly stopped and faced Aki directly.
"Aki-hime, I am so sorry for yesterday. I am very naive when it comes to affairs of the heart. Will you forgive me? " He looked so innocent.
"Of course Yuimura-kun. I was angry at first, but since you came and apologized to me how could I not?" She smiled at him giving him confidence.
"Akihime I have a favour to ask of you." Aki looked at him unwavering.
"Yes of course, anything." He looked down at his feet as he seemed to revert back to a adolescent.
"I...I don't know how to express myself really well. But I can't deny that I am extremely happy to have you as my fiancé. Would you teach and guide me to be a good husband? I want to make you happy and convey my feelings to you. I am just used to dealing with soldiers and expressing my feelings of fightin..." Aki put a finger to his mouth to indicate he was waffling too much. Her eyes gleamed as she looked at him straight into his eyes.
" Yukimura-kun, I will help you be a good husband. Just be yourself. If you feel like giving me a present then give me one. If you feel like teaching me something, then do it. If you want to show affection, then hug me tight in your arms and kiss me softly. Express the feelings in your heart with how you feel it is right. You'll find your way." He smiled warmly back at her.
"You always say what I need to hear." Without word he abruptly embraced Aki in a hug and for just a moment she felt his feelings straight and true. His body was warm and felt secure. He held her tightly but just enough as to not make the hug uncomfortably awkward. Yukimura pulled away from her and attempted to compose himself after such an abrupt intimate moment. He felt good after it, but he also felt quite embarrassed. Suddenly a bout of laughter exploded from the tree where Sasuke was perched. He'd seen all and he couldn't help not laughing at how awkward the commander was in intimate situations. He's going to need a lot more help in the intimacy and wooing department. Yukimura, feeling overwhelming embarrassed chased after Sasuke who retreated to the far side of the castle. Aki stood there laughing with the biggest grin she'd ever had. Things were looking up.
~~~ 3 days later ~~~
Aki was quietly enjoying some calligraphy when a flustered maid came rushing into the room.
"Akihime, a guest has just arrived asking for an audience with you. Shinegen-sama has called you to the main hall." Aki nodded back tot he maid and headed straight to the main hall. Who in the world could it possibly be?
As she entered the room she saw a familiar shade of yellow on top of her best friend's head. They locked eyes for a moment before all formalities were forgotten and she rushed to her friend to embrace her. Mego stood up and took the brunt of her force as she hugged her friend back. It had felt like such a long time since they last saw each other.
"Long time no see Aki." Aki stood back breaking the embrace.
"And to you too Mego." Shingen cleared his throat to direct attention to himself.
"If I have this correct, you wish to stay here for a two days with Aki?" Mego nodded back to him.
"Yes. On the second day I will return to Oshu. Will you send word of my safe arrival to Lord Masamune for me Lord Shingen?" Aki felt like she was missing something. Oshu? Masamune?
"Wait a minute. What do you mean Oshu? Where is Keiji?" Mego looked at her confused friend and then back at Shingen.
"My lord, may we be excused? I have a lot of explaining and talking to do with Aki which would be a bore for you to hear." She bowed politely to Shingen. He grunted his approval and watched them walk away together. And so it begins. The next generation won't be far away.
Settling down in Aki's room with tea and sweets, Aki began her onslaught of questions.
"I ask you again Mego, why have you been in Oshu with Masamune and why aren't you with Keiji? Is he in trouble?" Mego looked at her slightly annoyed.
"Aki calm down! How am I supposed to answer you when you ask several questions at once!" Aki puffed her cheeks and crossed her hands. She wasn't used to being left in the dark. Mego sighed and took a sip from her cup.
"I am currently staying in Oshu as Masamune's ward. Keiji left on urgent business. I don't know how he is, but the last letter he sent me implied he was as usual spending more time gallivanting than working." Aki looked pleased and took a sip of her tea. Suddenly her smile turned into a subtle cheeky grin. Mego was in the middle of drinking her tea.
"So how is it living with one of Japan's best looking bachelors?" Mego immediately spat out all the tea in her mouth resulting in Aki falling over and rolling on the floor in laughter.
"Tha..Thats not how it is!" Mego defended whilst Aki continued her laughter.
"It's not like you can talk miss I'm engaged to the guy whose abs I couldn't pull my eyes from in a fight." Aki stopped laughing and sat upright to defend herself.
"Hey! I totally wasn't staring at his abs. I was looking at his biceps as well!" They both fell into laughter as the tension immediately dispersed in the room.
"You must tell me Aki, how are things going with you and Yukimura? I must admit you got engaged quicker than I thought." Aki blushed without shame in front of Mego, her most trusted friend.
"It wasn't our doing actually, though we have been growing closer and closer each day. Lord Shingen and Aneue arranged the whole thing. I was sent her to see if the match would work or not. At first he seemed upset about the whole thing." Mego looked at her wide-eyed.
"What do you mean?"
"Well you see, he has no confidence that he could be a good husband to me so he got upset. But Shingen gave him a good talking to and he apologized to me. He wants me to teach him to be a good husband and... well he hugged me intimately the other day." Her cheeks grew redder.
"He even helps me train sometimes and when he teaches me his whole body wraps around me to hold my hands in the right position." She sighed as one does when they are in love. Mego smiled at her friend who was caught up in the images in her head.
"Sounds like a perfect match. When is the wedding?" Aki snapped back to reality.
"We haven't decided on a date but about three months from now."
"I am looking forward to it. You will look so beautiful in your uchikake." Aki smiled enthusiastically.
"You better wear a nice kimono as well! But don't outshine me!" Mego laughed at Aki's demands.
"You're already a bride!" Aki laughed with her until they both died down.
"So tell me Mego, how fairs you and Lord blue-eyed bachelor?" Aki gave her a look that said, don't leave out any of the juicy details. Mego moved back subconsciously a little. She was nervous about telling her about everything even though she knew she could trust her with anything.
"Well... we haven't made it was far as you two." Aki's eyes widened up.
"So you do like him!" Mego gaped.
"I said no such thing!"
"C'mon Mego it's written all over you face. You like him don't you." Mego sighed in defeat.
"I don't know how or when it happened but I can't get him out of my mind. I'm starting to see him differently, like notice everything about him. I'm crazy though. He is of such a high birth and is the leader of such a big and influential clan. How can I be worth anything to him as a wife?" Mego looked down at the floor whilst holding her tea cup in her hand. Aki screwed her face up.
"Are you seriously going to give up like that? Surely he is worth fighting for if the unwavering Mego has lost her heart to his charms."
"I didn't lose to his charms! He just suddenly grew on me is all. He almost died because of me and when we I kept him warm that night I never slept better nor felt safer in my life. He makes me feel calm and womanly." Aki gapped wider than a goldfish at her.
"YOU SLEPT WITH HIM?" Realizing what she just said Mego quickly waved her hands and shook her head in denial.
"No you are mistaken! I didn't SLEEP with him. I had my chest strapped and undergarments on. I simply slept with him to keep him warm after he had a direct attack from ice. I'd never sleep with a man I am not married to. Aneue would kill me for one. But, I don't regret it. He was so warm and soft, and I felt safe and grateful to be able to keep him alive after he saved my life." Aki nodded along with her friends words.
"In that case I approve. But if anyone finds out you did that you won't be able to marry surely? It would be best to keep it a secret from everyone." Mego agreed.
"Only a small number know and they'll remain silent. Oshu soldiers are the most loyal of soldiers I have ever seen. Besides, Masamune and I have come much closer because of it. I think he feels the same way but it's hard to know for sure. We shared sake and stories the other night under the stars and we were very open and honest to each other." Aki was proud of Mego. She had never seen such a happy and loving smile on Mego's face before. She'd fallen deeply for Masamune. It was written all over her face.
"Do you think I have a chance to be with him?" Mego asked feeling insecure of her own ability to get a man. Aki looked confidently back at her friend.
"Mego, if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything. If he feels the same way he will respond to your feelings. Try a few small shows of affection and see how he reacts." Mego gestured her understanding.
"I'm really nervous though. I'm glad I could finally admit it to someone. It's been balling up in me for such a long time. Oh Aki he truly is wonderful and I am not just talking body. He is secretly a caring and loving man. He may look tough as nails on the outside but he can listen when you need and give you comfort. He never shows his weaknesses to anyone but who are close to him. Also Tsukiyo adores him which is a bonus. She wanted to stay behind and keep him company but Masamune refused her to leave my side. She still went back anyways because I let her." Both girls laughed at the image of Tsukiyo and Masamune.
"Sounds like you have quite a catch there. Yukimura is the same in ways. He doesn't show weakness and is always headstrong with any task given to him. I guess thats the roles leaders have to take on." They giggled.
"Woman or man it doesn't matter. We all relish the ability to let down our guard and be ourselves around those closest to us." They both looked outside the room to the garden taking in their own thoughts.
"So can I plan your wedding?" Aki teased. Mego gave her a shove.
"I have to be getting married first!" They talked for hours until dinner.
The next day Mego spent watching Aki and Yukimura's interactions. Their fighting practice was amusing with how close Yukimura got until he realized and became as red as tomato just as quickly as he had detached himself from Aki in embarrassment. They were a good match, there was no denying that.
"You seem to be fairing well Mego." Mego looked up to be greeted by a looming Shingen.
"Lord Shingen! Why thank you, Masamune's hospitality has been more than expected so I am doing very well." Shingen smiled at her.
"I have heard word that the young Lord has recently become fond of a young woman. He seems to be more lively than he has been in years." Mego looked at him shocked. What young woman? I don't recall anyone else but me... She jolted up to look at Shingen.
"I... I don't have such an influence. I am sure it's because I spar with him a lot." Shingen roared with laughter.
"Young love." He stated before walking off and continuing his laughter.
The day went by smoothly and before Mego knew it, it was time to leave for Oshu again.
"Take care won't you?" Aki pleaded to her friend.
"Of course, you too. Or well, Yukimura make sure you look after Aki. You're a lucky man." Yukimura blushed.
"You are too kind Megohime." She smiled back at him.
"I look forward to the wedding. Take care all of you." She waved them all goodbye and returned to Oshu.
~~~ Oshu ~~~
The days had been quiet without Mego around. Truth be told Masamune was missing her a lot. He'd been trying to take his mind off by practicing his swordsmanship in the courtyard but still her smiling face with her blond hair loose and flowing in the dark blue kimono kept popping up in his head.
"Graghhh" He let out a yell of frustration. It wasn't that he was angry for the image popping in his head, it was more so that he felt uneasy without her around and everything felt so...quiet and empty.
The sound of horses could be heard approaching the castle. He immediately grew excited. She's come home early. As the horses came closer however, it was clear that it wasn't the golden beauty riding through his gates, but a white haired sea-devil which could only mean one thing. Masamune shot a toothy smile at his old friend.
"Come for a drink Motochika?" Motochika gave an equal toothy grin.
"You bet. But first I want to see the girl I hear you've been hiding from the world."
Review responses:
Jen252n - Thanks for pointing out the grammar. If you feel like anything in particular is bugging you feel free to message me pointers! I am not the best at grammar haha :P. At this stage I am trying to develop relationships a bit more. More fighting will be coming up though to do with the earlier conflict.
gEmOxOx thank you so much for your ongoing support! I really appreciate it. I was squealing myself when I was writing it and I took so long to make sure I felt like I was conveying their feelings. The mystery of the lightening will become apparent more so towards the end.