Update: So hey guys, it's been a while! First of all, I'm truly sorry this has taken such a long time to update. I lost my Nana over a month ago around my last update and she was greatly important to me. I've since had to play catchup at Uni and it's almost finals so I am busy. I've also had a bit of artist/writers block so I've been working on this chapter for a couple of weeks. I just want to say thankyou to everyone who reads this. Your ongoing encouragement keeps me going and enthusiastic. I know this has been a long fanfic, but I know for sure I couldn't cut it down any shorter :P
Also I've started watching Sengoku Basara: End of Judgment and plan to finish that before I write anymore so I can get some more glimpse at characters.
The following chapter is going to focus more on Aki, but I've been eager to write this chapter for a while! I hope you enjoy. Thanks again!
Mego arrived just in time for dinner at the castle where an eager Motochika and an edgy Masamune were waiting to greet her. They'd received word from a scout of her return only half an hour ago but by now they were both a bit merry from the sake that Motochika insisted they have. As a result, Masamune was feeling less in control of himself than usual. He shook his head a few times hoping to shake the slight light headedness out of his head.
As a familiar golden mare made her way through the gates he gave a sigh of relief as he was greeted by Mego's dazzling smile. She looked good atop Kinfu, but it was more than that. He could see how calm and collected she was. Whatever she talked about with Aki must have helped her resolve her inner turmoil which in return made his mind ease.
Motochika stood silently taking in the images before him. A beautiful woman on her rare golden steed was a sight any sailor would kill to see. And her beautiful eyes, blue like the ocean and green like fresh growth in spring. The rumours of her were certainty true, but for Masmune to have her around meant there was more to her than meets the eye. He was curious, and wanted to get to the bottom of why Masamune was keeping such a treasure hidden away. Masamune shot her a smile and went to greet her. Motochika saw an opportunity to stir things up.
"Masamune, how come you didn't tell me she was this pretty? Why are you keeping her hidden up here so far north?"
Masamune stopped his advance to greet Mego and abruptly turned to Motochika. His brow began to furrow as he opened his mouth to retaliate. This time however Mego responded before he could respond.
"Masamune isn't keeping me hidden, I choose to be here." She gave Masamune a wink whilst mounting off Kinfu and approaching them in greeting. She bowed to them both before announcing her return with 'tadaima'.
"I do not believe I have met you before." she said looking directly at Motochika with a polite smile on her face.
" However your eye patch and tone of voice would indicate that you could possibly be the Sea Devil Motochika Chosokabe." Mego crossed her arms and smiled cockily showing her confidence. The way she bent her hip as part of her stand kept Masamune paying attention to her rather than Motochika who was relishing what he took as a compliment in her recognizing his title. Snap out of it. You need to keep an eye on Motochika, that sly pirate. There is no telling what he's up to. Masamune shook his head again.
"Please call me Motochika. And you would be Megohime correct?" He smiled his toothy grin, his charisma radiating off him. At this point Mego finally got around to taking in the features in front of her, or more so the chiseled muscles on Motochika's chest which were right out there for gawking over. She looked back to his face seeing he'd noticed her looking giving her a slight blush. He laughed. Motochika was used to woman swooning over his muscles. Shocked, Mego looked around for something to look at whilst replying to his question.
"Yes that would be me. Please call me Mego if you wish. Now, it's been a long journey and I am sure you don't want to stand out here all day for greetings and pleasantries. How about I get some sake and we go inside and continue our talk." Motochika met the proposal with great enthusiasm whilst Masamune simply nodded quietly. Both men made their way to the guest room whilst Mego took some time to get changed into more appropriate clothing for their guest. She sighed in relief as she took her boots and armour off. It had been a long ride, and she was really excited to be back since she'd found renewed confidence. But with Motochika's appearance, she couldn't help but notice Masamune's unease. It made her worry about the night to be had. After getting into a fresh kimono, that felt amazing on her skin, soft like fresh sheets on a bed, she made her way to the cellar to get the sake.
Whilst they were waiting for Mego to appear with the sake, Motochika took this moment to stir Masamune a bit more.
"She seemed to like the look of my abs." He said and followed with a boastful smile.
Masamune rolled his eyes at him. He'd seen her taking in his details, and that stirred feelings in him he never thought he'd feel. But he could tell in his gut that she wasn't attracted to him only stunned by his boldness in attire. Motochika had that affect on a lot of people. Motochika chuckled at his reaction.
"So what is she like?" Motochika asked as he sat at the table. Masamune looked at his friend whose eyes were narrowed in a mischievous curiosity. Masamune took a moment to look his friend in the eye to evaluate him before deciding on the response to give. Despite his actions, Motochika was one of the most compassionate and caring men who knew. He decided it would be ok to open up a little.
"She is... kind, strong and loyal. She is the strangest woman I have ever met. But then she is the best girl I know." He looked outside as he said it, trying to hide his emotions. Motochika leaned back a little at Masamune's response. His friend had never talked that way about a woman before. It was usually 'annoying' or 'too loud'. Nor had he ever had such an opportunity to get under his skin. But it was clear that he had to learn more about this woman who was having a clear impact on Masamune.
At that moment Mego entered the room with a big bottle of sake and two cups in hand. She had changed into her new ocean blue kimono which featured coral coming up from the bottom of the kimono. Masamune held his breath a little as he admired how well the ocean blue matched her hair. Motochika had simular thoughts but was for the first time seeing her womanly features as well. He smiled at the thought of how lucky Masamune was to have such an attractive woman gracing his presence. Both men were silent as she set up the sake and poured them both a drink. They both thanked her and took a deep drink tilting their heads back as they drank it all in one go. Mego giggled and poured them both another drink starting with Motochika as he was the guest.
"What's so funny" Motochika asked slightly cocking his head. Mego giggled again.
"Please excuse me, it's just you are both silent you'd think either someone had just died or seen a ghost or something. Is something troubling you both? Or were you just hanging out for a drink?" They both looked at each other a little confused and then started laughing in unison before taking another drink. Mego knew how to break the ice, that was for sure.
Mego decided to join in with them, covering her mouth with the sleeve of her kimono as she laughed. Masamune held his hand out with his cup gesturing for another one. Obligingly Mego poured him a drink then looked up to see Masamune staring straight at her, his eyes soft and warm.
"Motochika is my good friend. There is no need to be so formal around him, he prefers it when you act natural." Mego looked to Motochika for confirmation. He nodded in agreement.
"I don't visit to be pampered. I don't care about that stuff. I am a pirate and I'd take the stormy seas any day over pampering and formalities. All I need is a good drink!" He emphasized his last words by shoving his hand towards Mego for another drink. She laughed in agreement and after pouring him a drink she put her hand into the sleeve of her kimono and pulled out a third cup of sake.
"Well if we are allowed to be friendly here I am going to enjoy myself as well." Both gave her a toothy grin.
"Kanpai!*" They raised their cups of sake and drank it full. As they all sighed after drinking the full sake cup Mego decided to get more information about Motochika.
"So tell me, since Motochika is your friend how did you two meet?" They exchanged glances and Masamune decided to respond first.
"Well we first met in the woods randomly after Hideyoshi had sunk his ship. Actually it was more like washed up."
"Tch" Motochika smiled annoyingly at the memory. "We got him good in the end and we built a much better ship this time round. She'd flatten your castle in no time!"
"Huh? That piece of crap? We'd destroy you no problem." Masamune responded, protecting his pride. They both exchanged narrow eyed glances before bursting into laughter again.
"Well then skipping ahead, we found each other in the woods and battling out until a draw, and became allies. And well we've been friends since then." Motochika took another sip of his sake looking at his friend.
"You're cutting it short! The girl wants to hear a real story!" Masamune declared.
Motochika proceeded to recall their fight in the woods that night with plenty of gestures and sound effects. Mego enjoyed his story telling because he was so enthusiastic about it. Masamune, seeing Mego was enjoying it, would pipe up every now and then to add to the story. Mego watched them closely and noticed how close they were. It brought a smile to her face. Once Motochika had finished his story to satisfactory and after having another three drinks he had become even more merrier than before. Combined with how comfortable the three of them were around each other he started asking more personal questions.
"So Mego whats your story?" Mego looked at him just as she was about to take a drink. She was starting to feel the affects of the sake after having five or was it six drinks? Sake always made her jumpy.
"Hmmm? What do you mean exactly?" She asked him slightly tilting her head.
"I mean, why are you in Oshu? I have never seen you before let alone heard of you until word was sent my way that the One eyed dragon had a beautiful wench in his midsts. I mean this guy is so serious! He needs to get out more. Get some air like I do sailing the beautiful ocean." Mego giggled at him and looked at Masamune for his reaction. He looked annoyed at Motochika's forwardness. She drank her cup then looked directly at Motochika.
"Well I am originally the ward of Lady Hikari but after traveling with Keiji-niichan for a while he asked Masamune to take me as his ward. At first I was angry for being handed off to him, but I've grown to like it here. The townsfolk are lovely and Masamune has been really kind to me. If I can be honest I feel at home here." She suddenly realized she'd let slip that last sentence and quickly looked towards Masamune who had a shocked look on his face. He'd never heard her be so open. Great the alcohol is starting to make me say too much. She cursed silently at her lack of control. Motochika missed the look between them as he finished the last of his sake by tipping his head back. Mego refilled his cup.
"I must say you have the most startling eyes I've ever seen a woman have. I remember someone told me about eyes like yours what was it..." Mego slightly blushed at the comment whilst he tried to find the words he was looking for. Mego drank down the rest of her cup as she gave him the answer he was looking for in his head.
"Thankyou Motochika, you are too kind. If it helps Otani used to say my eyes were like this because my soul mate is missing an eye. See, in Greek mythology it is believe Zeus split humans souls into two. Because of that we are always searching for our soul mates or the other half of our souls. The thing is I wonder which eye is his?" As she said this she covered right eye leaving her green eye exposed. She then swapped her hand covering the other leaving her blue eye exposed. In that moment Masamune noticed that her blue eye matched the eye he lost. It couldn't be could it? He looked to Motochika who was also missing an eye but his missing eye matched her green one which was not his eye colour. He just stared at her trying to understand what just happened. The alcohol had taken it's affect and made him more confused. Motochika followed the same trail of thoughts as Masamune and found himself disappointed that her eye didn't match his missing one. But he noticed that her blue one matched a certain dragons. He chuckled to himself. Can't help a man for trying. Mego picked up the sake bottle to pour another drink but noticed it was empty. She gave a small whine.
"Excuse me. I need to go fetch another bottle of sake. I'll be back soon." As she left Chosokabe stared menacingly at Masamune.
"Don't tell me you didn't notice her eye matched yours? And here I thought I could rescue the maiden with the fair hair from the Dragon's clutches." Masamune looked at him confused.
"What in the hell are you talking about you crazy pirate?" Motochika roared with laughter.
"Don't you know? Those westerners say that dragons take fair maidens with gold hair to their caves and keep them as their prized treasures. As a pirate who is always looking for bounty to plunder, it was my job to investigate this treasure of yours and weigh up the odds as to if I can steal it or not. It seems however in this case the dragon has won the heart of the maiden." Masamune narrowed his eyes at him.
"Like I would let you take her away from me!" Motochika roared with laughter again.
"So you are admitting that you are smitten with her?" Masamune opened his mouth to reply but nothing came out. He settled for a glare.
"Heh. I'm telling you now One eyed dragon, you better tie the knot with that one before she runs off." Motochika looked confidently at his friend. He was glad he'd finally found something in his life to focus on rather than fighting the next battle.
"Which reminds me, does she have any single friends?" Motochika asked hopefully .
"Tch. What woman would want a smartass like you?" They both laughed breaking the tension of the deep words spoken before. But Masamune had taken his words into his heart and he knew he was right. With his feelings for her growing each day, and need for her to be close to him becoming more important by the day... He was confused on what to do. He'd never felt this way before and didn't know how to even face these feelings, let alone face her with them. As he became deep in thought his face seemed to become sad.
"Everything will work out. You shouldn't worry so much, it's not like you at all." Motochika looked worryingly at his friend.
At that moment Mego walked into the room with another bottle of sake in hand. She had started to have a slight red blush about her indicating she was slightly drunk. She sat down and refilled their cups. Masamune stared at her as she poured him a cup and smiled warmly at him before he watched her pour a cup for Motochika and then herself. As she conversed with Motochika, he sat back sipping his sake and just watched her, the way her hands moves as she talked, the movement of her lips as the pronounced the words he no longer was listening to and the way she laughed. Her face lit up so much when she laughed. To think he'd be enjoying a night with Motochika like he usually did, except with the company of Mego. He let out a small laugh. This is crazy. When did she become this important to me that she joins me in hosting guests like she is already my wife? He closed his eyes with a big smile on his face as he embraced the feelings running through him in the moment. His head may have felt heavy from the alcohol but he knew he was in love with one amazing woman, and that made him feel warm like a fire on a cold winters night. He let the feelings just wash over him, he'd long since stopped fighting it.
After a few more drinks and laughs, Mego having had too much to drink started to wobble around a little. It was clear it was time for her to go to bed. Motochika gave her a pat on her back.
"You know, you are a great drinking partner but I think we got carried away! If you drink with this hardened sea dog your going to feel it in the morning" Motochika heartedly laughed and started to hiccup. He was clearly drunk as well. Masamune knew he'd had enough to drink himself but he felt an overwhelming need to make sure Mego got to bed safely. Motochika may have already given up on her, but when he was drunk the man was completely unpredictable.
"Come on Mego, I think you should go to bed." Masamune demanded as he got up and walked over to her. The alcohol surging through his head as he took a moment to regain balance standing up. She looked up to him with such an innocent look on her face. It melted his heart to see her warm and gentle smile and her soft eyes. Unlike most people who would protest, she felt secure and obedient around Masamune. He offered her his hand which she accepted without hesitation and got up to go to bed. As she got up she began to sway and lent on Masamune for balance. Masamune chuckled at her but stood straight till she regained her balance.
"I have a feeling you have weak legs." he joked at her.
"Oh yeah. Then why don't you carry me man." She jested as she dragged out her insult while she was clearly fighting a cloudy head. He narrowed his eyes at her with a grin on his face. Masamune never backed down from a challenge.
"You'll never win a challenge from me." Within seconds he swept her into his arms bridal style and beamed his toothy grin at her. "You see?" Shocked by his actions Mego just stared up at him with her mouth open slightly and her body limp in his arms. He carried her out into the hallway leaving Motochika behind to pass out by himself. He waved them goodnight with a cheeky grin on his face.
"Don't go getting any ideas One eyed Dragon." Masamune turned to him and snickered. "You mean don't do anything you'd do?" Motochika laughed at him. Masamune started down the hallway.
He suddenly felt the grip of hands on his kimono as Mego pressed her head into his chest and gave a small cute sound signifying her comfort in his arms.
"Masamune, you're so warm and soft." Masamune's face immediately went red. He'd never been in such a situation before in his life. She was just so cute and he was starting to get other ideas running through his clouded mind. If she continued like this he wouldn't be able to leave her alone tonight he thought. He looked down at her peaceful face. Her eyes were closed and she was humming softly, a lullaby. The melody reminded him of a time when his father would praise him and...No, I don't know what that feeling is... Her humming spoke of love, it wasn't something he had ever experienced. He looked down on her sleepy face and wished he could watch her all night. At least she must know what love feels like to hum such a warm song. Her humming brought back images of the night she slept with him to keep her warm. The serene look on her face as she slept peacefully whilst holding him tightly as to protect him. He wished he could do that again. But this time he'd hold her in his arms and keep her safe and warm... Stop. Stop thinking like that you idiot. If he'd had a hand free, he'd have slapped himself.
He arrived at her room and went to put her down on her feet. Her eyes suddenly opened.
"No, don't let go of me." She grabbed him tighter as she refused to be put down. "Will you put me into bed?" She asked softly. He sighed, giving into her charms, and carried her to her futon before putting her into the futon and pulling the blanket over her. She made small noises of pleasure as she moved around until she found a comfortable spot. She hugged her pillow tightly reminding Masamune of how she held him. He could feel her arms around him. He shook his head again and decided it was time to leave. If he stayed any longer, anything could happen. He stood up and started to leave.
"Don't go yet." she pleaded with him. He turned around to see her eyes wide open, begging him to stay. He sighed again and sat down next to her. She flashed a triumphant smile like she had just won an argument. She reached out a hand to his and rubbed the back of his palm gently.
"Masamune you're too good to me. Thankyou for looking after me."
He smiled back at her before caressing her head out of instinct. She closed her eyes at his touch and began to relax. "Anything for you Mego." he said softly as he waited until she was asleep to leave her alone. She opened her eyes and sat up a little. Surprised Masamune looked straight back at her and began to blush under the intensity of her gaze. She moved her face closer to his, slowly, and he sat there frozen. As she got closer and closer, Masamune began to tense up. Her eyes gleamed with mischief as stopped with her face right in front of him. He could smell sake on her breath. She looked him up and down with her eyes before she leaned in and kissed his eyepatch.
"That's for looking after me." She said as she drew back to being in front of his face. He touched where she had kissed him and looked her straight in the eyes. They'd returned to their warm glow rather than her alluring one. His lips tingled as he fought the need to grab her in an embrace then and kiss her passionately. But before he could make a decision on whether to follow that call or not, Mego had already flopped back into bed and curled into her blanket. He chuckled and shook his head that was buried in his hand. That was too close. He decided to leave before more than alcohol took over his mind. As he walked out of the room, he took one last look at the peacefully sleeping Mego before he closed the door. One day I won't have to leave...He thought as he made his way to his own quarters.
He sat out on his balcony looking up at the stars as he contemplated the nights events.
"The dragon has tamed the maidens heart? Heh." He looked at his hand which had caressed Mego's head lovingly with. He remembered her face, and her closeness. How she needed him too. He felt his heart beat increase and butterflies crawl in his stomach as he remembered her eyes and her kiss. And then he suddenly realized. She loves me too.
He leaned his head back and smiled up at the sky. Is this how it feels? I feel... happy? He looked over to his single bed. Thoughts of her holding him crawled through his mind, and the feeling of her body felt like it was still touching him. He finally gave in and let his mind create images, his fantasies for him. He saw two beds in place of his one, and he saw the sleeping face of Mego resting on one side with her arm stretched out on what would be his side of the bed as if to show she was waiting for him to join her. He noticed her bare shoulder and that enticed him more to wonder the path of fantasies he'd never let himself think of before. He sat there for hours just thinking about her, as he sobered up and eventually headed to bed. He had decided one thing though, he was going to work out the perfect way to tell her how he felt. Because he'd never felt this way before.
Author's notes:
tadaima - traditionally said when returning home as it means "I've returned" . There is a more polite way that would have been used in these times I think, but I can't remember it myself and I felt readers might be able to relate more to this term.
Not gonna lie, I see Motochika totally getting the hiccups on the odd occasion of drinking too much.