"Ugh. I should have known I couldn't trust those fools." Akira says, looking straight at Ranmaru Mori.
"Did you really think we would let you, of all people, simply walk away?" Ranmaru says, shaking his head.
"No, but that doesn't stop me from wishing." Akira says, sitting up, only to find his hands and feet chained to the ground. "Dammit!" he shouts, pulling against the chains.
"It's no use. Those chains are built into the floor." a voice says from the door. When Akira turns, he sees a complete stranger.
"Who the hell are you?" Akira demands, watching the stranger with angry eyes.
"You dare to speak to my lord with such hateful words? You will regret that!" Ranmaru says, standing up in outrage. Akira grins.
"Bring it ON!" Akira shouts, once again pulling against the chains.
"That's enough, Ranmaru." The stranger says, taking a step forward.
"My lord." Ranmaru says, bowing as he takes a few steps out of the way. Akira glares at the stranger as he takes a few steps forward.
"So you're the youngest son of the Danjyo family." He says, looking down at Akira with a critical look.
"Yeah, what of it?" Akira demands, pulling against the chains.
"You have absolutely no idea who I am, do you, boy?" the stranger questions. Akira looks at him.
"Who you are makes no difference. You are affiliated with Ranmaru, which indicates that you're an enemy of my lord." Akira says. The stranger smiles.
"Ah, that's right. You are a member of the demon clan, aren't you?" he says with a savage smile on his face.
"Yes. I am a member of the Uesugi. My loyalty belongs to Lord Kenshin and Lord Kagetora only." Akira says confidently.
"We shall see where your loyalties lie by the end of this." the stranger says. Akira flinches at the menacing sound of his voice.
"W…where have I heard that voice from?" Akira mutters.
"What do you wish to do with the pest, my lord Nobunaga?" Ranmaru asks, looking at the stranger.
"Nobunaga…from the Oda?" Akira questions. Nobunaga turns, and grins.
"But of course." Nobunaga says, walking out the door.
Time has passed. I'm not really sure how much exactly, but day-by-day, my resolve grows weaker and weaker. I wonder just how much longer I'll be able to stay…
Akira Danjyo
Akira rips the note apart, and tosses it to the corner of the room.
"Looks like you've been broken, huh?" Nobunaga's voice questions from the door. Akira looks toward him.
"W…why are you doing this?" Akira questions in a monotone voice. Nobunaga laughs.
"To get your 'great lord' to kill the other lords." Nobunaga says in a sure voice.
"Won't….work." Akira says before passing out.
"Kira…Akira!" Someone shouts. Akira slowly opens his eyes to look at Kagetora.
"M….my lord." Akira says in a completely emotionless voice. Kagetora's eyes widen at the sound of his voice.
"What the hell is wrong with him, Nagahedei?" Kagetora shouts, looking over his shoulder. Akira looks up, only to see Naoe, Haruei and Yuzuru.
"I'm not sure." Nagahedei says in a worried voice.
"K….Kagetora…" Akira mutters, looking up at them.
"What is it?" Kagetora asks, looking at Akira.
"H….he knows." Akira mutters as his eyes slowly close. Everyone turns to look at Kagetora.
"What is he talking about?" Naoe questions, looking rather irritated. Kagetora sighs.
"Thirty years ago, I had him go to the Oda side and spy on them for me. They must have figured it out." Kagetora says in a serious voice. Haruei sighs.
"So that's why I never saw him the whole time I was with you guys last time." Haruei says, glaring at Akira. "But, I don't you think you could have….oh, I don't know….told us what your plan was?" she asks, sounding hurt. Kagetora shakes his head.
"It wasn't the right time to say anything." Kagetora says in a completely neutral voice. Haruei sighs, and walks off.
"Why do we even bother? He doesn't trust his vessels enough to tell us his ideas." Haruei says as she shuts the door.
"Well, I think that went well." A voice says from behind them. They turn to see Akira sitting there.
"Akira!" Kagetora says in a relief filled voice. Akira smirks.
"In the flesh. So….I take it he didn't take not knowing what was going on very well." Akira says, looking at the door that Haruei had just walked out of.
"Not at all." Kagetora says with a sigh. Akira grins.
"Well. That's too bad." Akira says, standing up with a grunt of pain.
"Are you well enough to be walking around?" Nagahedei questions. Akira turns to him with a glare.
"I'm going to kick that idiot's ass, and permanently disfigure his face!" Akira says with an angry look on his face.
"You're in no condition to be kicking anyone's ass, Danjyo." A voice says. Everyone turns toward the door to see Kosaka.
"Brother." Akira says as he steps in front of Kagetora.
"Don't worry. I did not come here to harm anyone. I need to talk to you." Kosaka says. Akira sighs, and nods.
"Very well." Akira says as he follows Kosaka out of the room.
"I never thought you would join the Uesugi. What a surprise I got when Keikaru showed up, and told me that he had seen you here." Kosaka says, looking at Akira as he closes the door.
"What, are the Takada joining forces with the Oda." Akira questions, turning to look at Kosaka.
"No. Are you okay?" Kosaka questions, looking at Akira skeptically.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine. Why?" Akira questions, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, it just seems that you're kinda….oh, how do I say this…drunk?" Kosaka says. Akira opens his mouth, only to close it again.
"Uh…" Akira mutters, completely flabbergasted at what else to say.
"Not going to deny it?" Kosaka questions, eyebrows raised.
"I'm not sure how to answer such a preposterous idea." Akira says. Kosaka sighs, and walks forward.
"Preposterous, is it?" Kosaka demands, looking straight into Akira's eyes.
"Yes, it is!" Akira says, shaking his head. "How the hell would I have gotten drunk when I was unconscious?" he questions.
"Oh, I don't know…maybe you were drugged." Kosaka says, placing his thumb against Akira's temple, only to quickly remove it. "You're burning up. How in the world did they not notice?" Kosaka says, glaring at the door.
"I'll be….fine!" Akira says, pushing away from Kosaka.
"No. I don't think you will if you don't get someone to help you get better." Kosaka says, glaring at Akira.
"I can get MYSELF better!" Akira shouts, walking past Kosaka. He turns to glare at Kosaka when he grabs Akira's arm.
"Well, you did get the Danjyo's gift of doing everything by yourself, didn't you?" Kosaka says, turning to look at Akira. "But tell me, how long are you going to be able to go without telling anyone before you die of infection?" Kosaka questions, pulling Akira's shirt up to reveal deep wounds running the length of his back.
"Dammit, brother!" Akira yells, pulling his shirt back down.
"You need to have someone look at your wounds, and if you won't let your 'clan' than I guess I'll have to." Kosaka says, placing his hand on Akira's forehead. Akira's eyes widen when his body is suddenly paralysed. He falls forward, only to have Kosaka catch him.
"I should have seen that coming…." Akira says, shaking his head.
"No doubt. Now, be quiet so I can heal you." Kosaka says, ripping Akira's shirt.
"I'm truly going to kill you someday, brother!" Akira pledges as Kosaka takes a deep breath.
"Well, I healed you none the less." Kosaka says, standing up. "Try not to move for a while, okay." Kosaka says with a smile.
"So not funny!" Akira says, glaring at Kosaka.
"Well, little brother. I think it's time I take my leave of his madness." Kosaka says, walking out the door.
"Damn you, brother! Get back here and release this spell!" Akira yells, only to receive no reply. "Argh!"