Update: Phew this took was toooooooooo long. I have been trying to write a little bit in and I got very busy and caught up with uni. I managed to get into honours which is a research year where I write a thesis of 15,000-18,000 words. Also I've been caught up in a video game. I feel entirely guilty this has taken so long to come out and I apologise to those of you who have been waiting so patiently. ^_^ Thanks again for your ongoing support!
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Aki sat in her room staring at her uchikake and sighed with joy. It was only a day away and she would be wed to her beloved Yukimura. She kept staring at it, picturing herself inside it. Her face like a porcelain doll, her lips as red as a rose and her hair adorned with elegant hair pieces. She sighed again with a love sick smile. Most of the planning had been done, it was just letting all the pieces fit together. Whilst most brides to be would be tearing their hair out, Aki found that looking at her uchikake helped to keep her from stressing out too much. If she could see herself in the dress, she believed that it was all going to happen it was just a matter of patience.
She was snapped away from her uchikake at the beckoning of a messenger.
"Sorry to interrupt you Aki-hime but some guests have arrived." Aki looked at the young woman who was one of her maids bu her most loyal. She sat there slightly squirming as she was trying to hide her face from view of Aki. Throughout the whole wedding organizing process Hitomi has been at her side, helping her, listening to her woes and keeping her sane.
"Hitomi you are holding back a smile aren't you. Who are these guests?" Aki demanded giving her a cheeky glare that made Hitomi break face and smile widely.
"The one person you want to see the most right now, aside from Yukimura of course." She said plainly as if it were nothing. Aki jumped up from her seated position.
"MEGO IS HERE!" She yelled in glee as she jumped up and down in joy. Without thought Aki ran out of her room making straight for the entrance of the castle. Hitomi watched her as she rushed off without dismissing her and giggled to herself. Such were young women like before their wedding.
Masamune, Kojuro, Motochika and Mego all arrived together at Ueda and were greeted by an unexpected guest. Standing in their way of getting through the gates was a woman of average height with fiery red hair that despite being in a pony tail reached her waist. She was clad in a red Cheongsam with armour covering her chest, arms and waist. She wore armoured boots but left parts of her thighs partially exposed. She stood there with her staff in her left hand looking directly at Mego. Mego stared right back at her, her eyes narrowing slightly and her brow becoming furrowed.
"Huh? What is the wench doing standing in our way? And why is she glaring at you like you're some demon Mego?" Asked Motochika, who was most intrigued about this beauty in front of him though he wasn't going to admit that openly. Mego didn't even look at Motochika to acknowledge his question. She stared directly at the mysterious girl and responded without even twitching.
"Nana." She said almost like a whisper. Ignoring both boys gestures of initiating an onslaught of questions she spurred Kinfu on to meet Nana head on.
Nana stood tall, strong and intimidating as she met eyes with her childhood rival Mego. It had been a long time since they had been able to meet each other face to face again. She quickly did the math in her head. Around four years to be precise. As she approached closer Nana watched as Mego dismounted her golden steed and sent it away. She turned and faced Nana directly. Unwavering. Confident as always, Nana noted.
"Mego. It's been a while. How have you been?" She asked menacingly. Truth be told she didn't care for small talk. She wanted to do the talking with their traditional way of greeting. A sparring match.
Mego looked at her, eyes narrowed, and smiled wickedly. "My, my Nana it has been too long. Last time I saw you, you were playing with sticks. I see nothing has changed." Mego was testing her for cracks in her mental armour. Nana roared into laughter.
"And I see you are still playing with two tooth picks. But let's kill the idle chatter. We both know thats not what we want to do." an evil smile creeping up her face. Without waiting for a response she jumped at Mego raising her staff across her body for a powerful swing. Nana was planning on Mego dodging to the right. Mego looked at the midair Nana and quickly made the decision to roll forwards underneath her. As she completed her roll she swung her head around and withdrew her swords and swung at Nana all in one swift motion. Nana, after seeing her prey sneak away under her instinctively turned to face her opponent, swinging her staff along with her body as it turned. There was a loud twang as metal met metal and face met face. They stared at each other fiercely for a moment before jumping back and separating.
Masamune and Motochika looked on. "Looks like they've stopped?" Motochika pondered aloud whilst tilting his head to the left slightly and rubbing his chin. He was trying to focus on the fight, but he was more interested in this 'Nana's' fine 'form'. Masamune laughed.
"With tension like that, they'll be at it for a little longer." He watched Mego closely. She was acting the way she did when she fought alongside Aki and when she spared with him. She was enjoying herself and assessing the person all at the same time. Each blow telling her more about the person and their thoughts, feelings and struggles. She was mostly enjoying herself though. She had a glow about her when she was like this. A glow he'd long fallen in love with. It was like when he and Yukimura fought. The heat of the moment in battle could make it seem like a fight that lasted five minutes had been five hours long. You could mostly put it down to adrenalin, but it was more than that.
Just like that they both leaped at each other again, going for a full frontal attack and again clashing metal against metal. Nana's and Mego's pony tails both swung about as they began an onslaught of attacks. Though Mego was light on her feet, so was Nana. They danced like a pair of snakes, darting away at high speed from an attack, and striking quickly when an opportunity arised. Sweat dripped down their faces as they carried on blow after blow. Nana began to visibly and audibly show signs of exhaustion while Mego remained unaffected. Nana began to put more strength into her attacks as she noticed herself that her limit was being reached. She swung her staff over he head aiming to hit Mego on the head. Mego sidestepped out of her reach and swung a blade toward her head. Nana reacted quickly by raising her staff in front of her face with both hands. Mego swiftly delivered her sword centimeters away from Nana's stomach. Mego looked at her triumphantly as Nana admitted defeat and lowered her weapon. She stood her staff vertical and looked at her dear friend. They instantly embraced each other laughing and giggling together. Motochika tilted his head even more. He wasn't used to seeing people embrace like that after a heated match.
"I see you have both reacquainted yourselves." Aki appeared from the castle, clad in her fighting gear and spear. She strided towards the pair, unsmiling as she had zoned herself for this moment. She looked directly at Mego who had broken away from Nana's embrace and looked seriously at her best friend. They stood there in silence, talking with their eyes alone. Mego knew this day would come, and so did Aki. Mego drew her swords and circled around Aki. Aki in return circled around with her as well as they sized each other up. It was time to prove how strong Aki's feelings for Yukimura were.
Masamune saw Yukimura across the way and gestured Motochika to follow him. They greeted each other in a traditional manner which was quite untraditional for Masamune and Yukimura. "It would appear our wards would be doing the fighting for us." Masmaune joked. Motochika roared with laughter and was joined by Yukimura who was a little more uneasy with his laughter. He couldn't deny he was worried for Aki. After all, neither of them had seen these two fight each other.
"So the day has finally come?" Masamune, Motochika and Yukimura all jumped at the sound of Keiji's voice.
"What do you mean Keiji-dono?" Asked a curious Yukimura. Keiji looked at him and laughed heartily.
"And spoil the fun? No. Watch and see. You're in for something special." He stated.
The air blew around them as they continued to stare each other down. Then suddenly as the wind broke, like it was signaling them to start they jumped at each other. Aki went in for quick jabs to start, like Yukimura had taught her. Mego was at first overwhelmed by her flurry of attacks. She took a few steps back before she was able to hold her ground by getting into the rhythm of her attacks. She had spared with Masamune enough to know that being knocked about a bit to finally overcome an attack was no shame. It showed true prowess in battle. Mego chose the right moment to step close towards Aki by twirling around. At the end of her twirl her blades were meant to meet her off guard. They were met with a raised naginata catching the blow. They stood there locked for a while before splitting apart from each other. Mego, not giving a moment to breath jumped in to a flurry of attacks to which Aki blocked all by taking steps back and raising her naginata different angles. They broke apart again and took a moment to pant. Mego then jumped at her again and attacked over and over. Aki was slowly loosing stamina and began to drop her guard slowly. Seeing an opportunity Mego began to hit her harder and with one final hit she sent Aki to the ground with a sword to her neck. Mego had one.
"Is that all he means to you?" she yelled at Aki. Aki growled at her and threw up her naginata pushing Mego back as she got back on her feet.
"He means EVERYTHING to me!" She yelled back to Mego as she went wild with attacking her. She started pushing Mego back and Mego started to fumble her blocks. She was losing her timing in keeping up with Aki's unreadable attacks.
"How much does he mean to you?" She demanded as she continued to attack Mego relentlessly. Mego looked at her in shock. She knew who she was talking about. Masamune. Mego growled and pushed Aki away. They both glared at each other before charging at each other for one final attack. Their aura's burned furiously as they clashed together. There was a loud crack and twang as the two collided and suddenly there where two bits of metal being flung either side of Mego. Both girls stood there speechless. Aki's naginata's staff had completely shattered. The wood was scattered all around them. Mego on the other hand still held the hilts of her now broken swords. They both looked at each other in shock.
"How is this possible?" Mego asked Aki as she looked at her swords.
"Just because I am getting married and your not doesn't mean it's any different." She said as she smiled widely. They both thought about the time they got their weapons.
*****Flashback******
"Aneue, are you sure it's ok to be giving us weapons when we are supposed to be ladies?" Aki asked innocently. Lady Hikari looked at her adopted daughter who she had requested call her older sister.
"Just because you're a woman, that doesn't mean you don't have the right to protect yourself and your home. Remember, while the men play war, you defend the house." Mentored Hikari to her two adopted daughters.
"Listen carefully girls. These weapons were made for you to protect this household. So long as you have them your duty will be to protect this household and land. When they break, it will mean your duty to this household is over." Aki and Mego looked up at their mentor and idol in awe.
"But why would we ever stop protecting this place?" Mego argued. Lady Hikari laughed.
"You'll know one day Mego. One day."
*** Present ***
Yukimura was taken aback to what just unfolded, his mouth as agape as Aki's. His bride just had her favourite weapon destroyed, the weapon she treasured so dearly. He silently thanked the heavens though. For he had commissioned the smith to make her a new one for her as a wedding gift that was made of stronger material and more light weight. Yukimura felt that this new weapon would help her reach new heights in her combat skills. But it takes great power to break weapons like that. He was awed. Left standing there like many others to only stare at the scene, words unable to form in their minds. Masamune was also in awe at the sheer power shown by the both of them. To have their weapons shatter like that, it had some serious spiritual power behind it. The kind of power that made the hairs on your arms stick up. Keiji looked at everyone's speechless expressions and began to laugh, holding his gut as to emphasis his abrupt outburst.
When he had everyones attention (besides Aki and Mego who were more focued on each other and their broken weapons) he began to tell one of his favourite tales.
"Let me tell you a story about those weapons." He said once he calmed down from laughing at how stupid they looked with their mouths hanging wide open. Masamune, Yukimura and Motochika immediately gave him their full attention.
"You see, Lady Hikari gave them those weapons on the promise that they would protect their home and village with them. This was so they understood that weapons were used to defend the weak not apprehend them. She also told them there would come a day when they would break symbolizing their duty to their home was complete. In other words, their home was no longer their home." Yukimura tilted his head in confusion. Masamune was silent, attempting to work out the depth of the words Keiji was speaking. Motochika on the other hand caught on instantly.
"What he means is that the household they care for the most is no longer Lady Hikari's residence." Motochika put it simply. Yukimura looked at Motochika and like a key fitting into a lock he suddenly understood what was going on.
"So you mean... Ueda is now Aki-hime's home?" Yuimura asked. Keiji chuckled.
"Yes." he replied.
Masamune looked over to Mego who was cheerfully chatting with Aki and Nana. No longer home...Does that mean Oshu is her home. He thought to himself. He felt a pang in his chest at the thought of Mego making her home in Oshu...with him. By his side. Together. Forever. He would do anything for that if it would make her happy. Masamune continued to brew on these thoughts unaware of his obvious silence. He jumped at the voice of Lady Hikari by his side. How does she do that. he thought.
"It would appear I missed one of the big highlights of my trip here." She stated. Suddenly becoming aware of her presence, they all greeted her with the expected formalities. She laughed and waved away their chivalry. She may be mother to the bride but she was but a friend here.
"Please, you don't need to be so formal. We are friends after all. Now, I was wondering Lord Masamune, would you mind coming with me for a moment?" She asked. Masamune still a little dazed and distracted looked at her with a shocked expression on her face. Gaining some exposure he accepted without hesitation. He had been anticipating this talk for a long time but he needed to be more clear headed for this. As he followed Lady Hikari he mentally prepared himself and pushed away thoughts of Mego. Kojuro followed close behind him as he followed Lady Hikari into a private room in the castle. Little to Mego's knowledge, her future was about to be set into stone.
Lady Hikari sat in front of Masamune at the head of the room. Behind and to the right of Masamune sat Kojuro, his face as calm and collected as a lake. They waited as a maid brought in some tea before initiating conversation. Once the maid left Lady Hikari took her tea and sipped from it with her eyes closed. Appearing calm and peaceful. There was no need for the nerves Masamune was feeling put his slightly faster heart rate had a mind of its own. She put down the tea and looked up at Masamune directly. She instantly demanded his full attention, her gaze unwavering.
"Lord Masamune, for many months now you have been looking after my daughter Mego as your ward. At that time she was still a very adventurous girl who wanted nothing more than to be free. Now I see her for the first time in months and I am surprised by the change. Tell me, what has she been doing in Oshu?" She looked at Masamune with a smile as to invite him to respond. Masamune swallowed and looked at Lady Hikari showing her the same attention as she did.
"Since she came under my protection she has become more than a simple ward. She has readily helped the household and village members. Many times has she saved the lives of people or given them the help they need in times of dire need. She has also helped in forming repertoire with the soldiers. She..." He paused for a moment, feeling a lump building in his throat as his emotions attempted to take over.
"She has made Oshu a brighter place..." he said trailing off and averting his gaze from Lady Hikari. She smiled at this. To think a man so bold as Masamune to be shy when it comes to a woman. She internally giggled. Kojuro decided to take over for his lord, sensing his need for some backup.
"My Lady, Mego has shown both skill as a warrior and as a respectable lady. If I may be so bold, she is not the only one who has benefited from this relationship. I have seen changes in my own Lord which I thought were never possible. She has brought a smile and light to his life like no one has ever been able to do. Not even his soldiers. She has also won the love of both the soldiers and villagers who all wish to see her return with Masamune after this wedding. Needless to say she has become a great asset to Oshu." Lady Hikari looked at Kojuro and then stared through the open doors into the empty space. Her mind clearly deep in thought. Masamune looked back at Kojuro stunned by his words and boldness. But he was also confused. Was it that obvious that she had had such an affect on him? He didn't even notice himself. He looked down at the ground. Mego's smiling face in his mind. She. When she wasn't around he did feel somewhat lonely. Lady Hikari glanced over at Masamune who was bowing his head in deep thought. She took that moment to look at him properly. The usually composed One Eyed Dragon was consumed with thoughts of only her daughter. She knew then that this man had completely fallen for her, even if he wasn't totally aware of it. And they were an even better match than Lady Hikari expected. But Keiji always knew what he was doing when it came to love.
"Lord Masamune I can see you clearly care a lot about my daughter. I can also see that Oshu would also benefit from such a match if she already has made such a positive influence in Oshu. But I will not just let anyone have any of my daughters." Masmune's head jolted up and he looked at her in disbelief. Lady Hikari never talked like that!
"Tell me One Eyed Dragon. What are your intentions with my daughter if I should give her to you?" He looked at her completely shocked. He hadn't even got around to asking for her hand though it was obvious where this discussion was going.
"Oh don't look so shocked. I raised that girl so I want to know I am giving her to a man who is actually going to look after her." Hikari looked sternly at Masamune.
"See, when Mego was young her blonde hair made her stand out a lot. Because of her hair and exotic looks many lords came seeking her like a trophy for their sons. Each one of them showed their greed all over their face when they took one look at her. Filthy dirty old men they were, acting like Mego was some treasure to behold. Their eyes telling stories of what they would do to her if they got their hands on her. I ask you now, what makes you different from them?" She looked at him, all kindness gone from her face left only with a stern look. Masamune swallowed the lump in his throat and rubbed the sweat on his palms on his legs. To think Mego, the woman with such a beautiful smile was subject to such a thing? His face began to screw up as he gritted his teeth and grabbed his legs in anger. His emotions took over within seconds.
"I would never do such a thing to Mego! No one ever should! I will kill the man who lays a single finger on her innocent he!d. To think of her as a treasure? How could I? She is not some item! Mego is... She is the kindest person I have ever met. She is funny, caring and is always helping others. She is loyal and sometimes gets caught up in others she forgets her own feelings. She is the best female companion I have ever met and the strongest woman I know. If she..." He knew he was losing all composure the usual Masamune had. He was angry. He wanted to hug Mego then and there and protect her from everything.
"I will protect her no matter what! She means EVERYTHING to me!" He yelled at Lady Hikari. As he said the words he had a sudden feeling of emptiness just by thinking of him without her. He breathed heavily trying to calm down his rage. He was so mad.
"Masamune. Look at me." Lady Hikari demanded in a soft tone. He looked up towards her still showing bitterness in his face.
"It is clear to me now. You love Mego deeply. I can see it in your face and in your anger. I will gladly see my daughter become your bride." She said smiling softly at him.
He did a double take. "What?" He said as if not hearing her the first time.
"I will allow you to take Mego as your bride. But you must ask her yourself." With that Lady Hikari got up and went to leave the room.
"Make sure you look after her. She can be a bit of a handful." She said, winking to Masamune as she left him with Kojuro.
Masmune stared at the floor. I...I can marry her? As long as I ask her?... This is... this...is... he suddenly stood up and started pacing around the room. A sudden well of emotions bubbling his stomach that he was unfamiliar to. Kojuro watched his Lord pace and work through his emotions. He was reminded of how he felt when he asked his wife to be his bride. Those butterflies and the sweating. A sudden rush of adrenaline when you finally asked and they happily agreed. His Lord was looking like a real man now. Masmune continued to pace around, his mind consumed with how to ask Mego and resisting the urge to yell in victory.
How do I ask her?
Author notes:
Cheongsam - Traditional Chinese dress.
*This Nana is not at all related to Hideyoshi or Keiji so please don't panic or anything xD
** Mego usually wears her hair in a ponytail unless specified as being down. I know I hadn't specified this but I hope this makes more sense haha. Think of it as her doing stuff hair style and the hair down as the I'm gorgeous style?