Chapter 11: Final Meeting
Zhen Shao sighed a little to herself as she fetched a few items from one room. She had been sent to deliver a small package to one of the officers. What the package was the little bodyguard didn't stop to ask. Zhen paused suddenly outside a set of sliding doors. She had never understood the way the Japanese had built their doors. The material was so weak, anyone could easily tear through it. Zhen pushed this out of her mind. She listened in on the voices from inside the room.
"My lord, the best thing to do would be to remain here for the time being."
Zhen gingerly placed the package on the floor and looked around the corridor. When she was sure the coast was clear, Zhen slide the door open a fraction and peeked inside. Mitsuhide, Hideyoshi and Nobunaga seemed deep in conversation.
"I agree with Mitsuhide-san lord Nobunaga. Lady Di Ji would believe that we are still in Fan Castle. Staying here would increase our chances of a surprise attack once her guard is lowered."
Zhen watched closely as Nobunaga mauled over the suggestion. Then he nodded his head. Zhen smiled a little and closed the door softly. Reclaiming the package, Zhen quickened her pace. She knew this piece of information had to be told to Lu Xun as soon as possible.
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Masamune eyed his unit, making it his third check within the week. The head General had learnt from Tiger that his lord was planning to leave Orochi's side, but he had no idea about Lu Xun. The General followed along side his smaller lord although he couldn't help but wonder. Casting a worried eye on Masamune the general wondered what the young Date lord was planning. "Their moral seems to be holding up." Masamune muttered, breaking the general's thoughts.
The Generall coughed a little. "Of course my lord. You trained the finest warriors in all of Japan." he responded. Masamune hummed under his breath. Tiger kept close watch, her eyes sweeping over the courtyard. She had not sensed Hanzo yet which could only mean he was talking with Da Ji. Tiger cursed a little to herself. She was thankful that she had managed to cover her lord's trail. Tiger shivered despite the sun shining. She did not want to know what Da Ji would do to her or her lord if the demon fox ever found out.
"Has Tiger told you of my plan?" Masamune inquried, turning to look at the General. He nodded his head although a confusion look was clearly seen on his face. He was not the only one. Other members of the Date unit questioned the plan. They did not want to believe that their lord had finally gone mad and would throw their lives away. There had to a reason for it all.
"Mind if I inquire my lord, but where will our base be? From what I've learnt from Tiger, you wish to leave the force completely and not join any one else, is that correct?" The General asked, keeping his voice low. Cao Pi and Mitsunari were not that far away from them. Masamune smirked.
"Leave that to me." Masamune waved a hand as if to order the unit to carry on and headed back towards the castle. Tiger waited before following her lord. The General scratched the back of his neck in confusion. Another soldier glanced over to him.
"What's gotta into Lord Masamune? He's never been this reckless, has he?" The soldier asked. The General turned to look at him, remember that the said soldier had only just joined before Orochi appeared. The kid had no idea how reckless his lord could be.
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Hanzo skillfully made his way down the corridor, heading ever closer to Da Ji. He did not want to talk to the demon fox at all but with his lord's life on the line, the shadow had no choice. Hanzo let a low sigh escape his lips as he arrived at Da Ji's chamber door. He knocked lightly and waited for an answer.
"The door's open!"
Hanzo did not open the door but used the shadows in Da Ji's room to enter. When he was inside, Hanzo found that Da Ji was bent over numerous un-rolled scrolls. They littered both her desk and the floor around her. What their purpose was remained a secret. Da Ji glanced over to him, a eye-brow raised. "Well Hanzo? Do you have anything to report?" she hissed. It was clear she was not in the best of moods. Hanzo bowed down on one knee.
"My lady, Master Masamune does leave the castle at night. Where he goes however I haven't been able to find out. I lost his trail." Hanzo informed. Da Ji growled a little but not direct her anger at the ninja. Hanzo waited, tensing slightly as Da Ji stood up.
"You lost his trail? How?" The question was icey at best and Hanzo had a gut feeling Da Ji was going to explode at any minute. The ninja continued to stare at the floor wondering how he was going to get around the question, if he could at all. Da Ji growled again and tapped her foot. "Didn't you hear me? How did you lose his trail!?" Da Ji restrained herself was screaching. The last thing she needed was Masamune or Tiger finding out.
"I believe that Master Masamune's bodyguard, Tiger, covered his tracks. I believe as well that she summoned something to attack me. When I was knocked to the floor, it gave her plenty of time to cover Master Masamune's tracks." Hanzo explained bowing his head a little more. Da Ji crossed her arms over her chest. Silence pasted between the two. When Hanzo glanced towards the demon fox, she waved her hand as if telling him to leave. Hanzo bowed once more and disappeared into the shadows. Da Ji spun round, facing the window of her chamber.
They must have figured it out. Tiger must have sensed that Hanzo was following. Da Ji tapped her chin. They have no idea about me which will work to my advantage. Although... Da Ji walked closer to the window and watched Masamune's unit carefully. ...I wonder where he goes at night.
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Lu Xun glanced over to the door of his chamber. Zhen Shao quickly bowed and closed the door behind her. Both winced when the door hinges squeaked. "You seem a little more happy after your duty. Anything you would like to share?" Lu Xun smiled. Zhen nodded her head quickly, her brown pig-tails bobbing up and down.
"On my way to deliver the package; I heard Lord Nobunaga, Lord Hideyoshi and Lord Mitushide talking. The two warriors proposed an idea to Lord Nobunaga and he agreed. I believe we will be staying here for sometime." Zhen informed. Lu Xun's smile widened a little. This was good news to him.
"That makes it easier for us to leave." Lu Xun suddenly fell silent causing Zhen to worry. When the wu officer looked at his faithful bodyguard, he smiled to reassure her but it did not work. Lu Xun felt guilty for thinking that Zhen was stupid enough to fall for his false smile. She knows you better then you know yourself. You can't lie to her, not after all she's done for you. Lu Xun's inner voice scolded. Lu Xun licked his dry lips and spoke in a low whisper. "Without a place to stay once we leave here, I fear for our safety."
Zhen said nothing at first, musing over her same fear. Neither Masamune or Tiger had mentioned a place they could hide away in. An army they had, a place they did not. "I'm sure..."Zhen began slowly. Her eyes roamed round the room before landing on her beloved lord. "...Lord Masamune has already found somewhere and is dying to tell us tonight." The bodyguard finished. This time the smile on Lu Xun's face was real.
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It had amazed Masamune that it never seemed to rain at night. There were always short, sharp burst during the day but not a drop at night. The dragon figured he should at least be thankful that the rain held off. He casted an eye towards the sky, looking out for any clouds. Once again, it was a cloud-less night. "The unit has been getting a tad jumpy my lord. Lady Da Ji is acting stranger the usual." Tiger mentioned.
Masamune snapped his head towards her direction. "Stranger then usual? Do you think Hanzo told her anything?" The dragon wondered. Tiger frowned a little, taking the time to pull her black scarf away from her mouth. The ninja was certain that Hanzo was not able to gather enough information, only that Masamune left the castle at night. However Tiger knew she had to be careful. Hanzo had a funny way of finding out information regardless of anything blocking his path.
"He may have my lord. I cannot say for sure." Tiger replied. Masamune cursed to himself, his eye glaring at the floor.
"Then let us hope he has learnt nothing of these meetings."
Masamune stood up quickly, a bright smile on his face. As if on cue Zhen pulled apart the bushes, allowing Lu Xun to enter. The two warriors embraced quickly while their bodyguards tried to hid their giggles. The dragon smiled at his beloved before sensing something wrong with Zhen. He turned to look at her, one eyebrow raised. She seemed to have gotten the hint. "Lord Masamune. We, as in myself and my lord, were wondering if you have found a place for us once we leave our chosen sides." Zhen stated. Masamune pulled away from Lu Xun, the same cocky smirk on his face. Tiger smiled as well.
"I'm glad you asked. I do have a place for us but I wasn't the one who found it." Masamune paused to nod his head in Tiger's direction. "Azumi did." Tiger blushed a little before nodding her head. She didn't want the praises for her find but it seemed that Masamune didn't want to steal her glory. Which was a very big change in the dragon. Zhen and Lu Xun turned to look at the ninja who kept her eyes to the floor.
"It's a castle not far from this clearing. It's abandoned at the moment. Should be a perfect spot for us to stay." Tiger mumbled, her blush increasing. Lu Xun nodded his head as Zhen smiled warmly at her sister. When the ninja returned the gesture, Zhen hugged Tiger quickly. Masamune chuckled. Lu Xun coughed a little gaining everyone's attention.
"Now we know where we're going to stay, I suggest we start to make plans." Masamune nodded his head. He sat down on the same log that had been their seat since they first time they met. Lu Xun joined his side while the bodyguard's sat in front of them. Silence past between the four.
"We'll met here tomorrow night with everything we need." Masamune began. His eyes were fixed on the floor, his right hand holding onto Lu Xun's hand lightly. "My unit will leave in the morning so the place will be ready. I'll think of an excuse to get them there." He looked up at Tiger who cocked her head to one side. "Azumi, you will led the unit there tomorrow morning and return back to the castle. Understood?"
Tiger nodded her head. "Yes my lord."
Lu Xun chewed his lip and tightened his grip on Masamune's hand. The dragon glanced over to his beloved. "It'll be risky. What excuse will you use?" The wu officer inquried. Masamune tried hard to think of something on the spot but nothing came to mind. After a while he shrugged his shoulders but Lu Xun did not lose hope. He'll think of something. I know he will. Lu Xun reassured himself. Zhen took that moment to stand up, dusting the back of her red skirt.
"If everything is settled perhaps me and Tiger should return to our guard duty." she smiled. Tiger nodded her head quickly and followed Zhen's lead. The two officers were left to their own thoughts on escape and their future together.
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