A/N: Thanks for the reviews and support gotten so far…this fandom is really quiet. I promise there will be erotic scenes but a few chapters are needed to build up to it. I don't see either Kanetsugu or Yukimura as the sort who would begin humping each other at first sight :P
To clarify, both men should be considered to be in their twenties for the purposes of this fic.
In the pitch blackness, Yukimura froze, unmoving; trying to trace the source of the footsteps and muffled voices overhead. It was the fourth night he had to spend in this godforsaken cellar; and he'd long since given up trying to get his eyes used to the darkness. Chikamitsu had (probably deliberately) neglected to provide him with a lamp. His current accommodations were not cruel in the strictest sense…sure, he was confined to the castle grounds and locked up at night; but he had three rather bland meals per day, comfortable bedding and clean laundry. Chikamitsu nagged, grumbled and made him do chores; but nothing overly strenuous. Mistreating him would only lead to dire consequences for the Uesugi soldiers in Shinano. Mostly, he just missed Crimson Fang. But even that small comfort seemed to mean less and less to him as time passed.
He was, after all, a broken man. No; he told himself, I cannot go down the path of despondency yet. My clan may be vulnerable, but my captivity has secured aid for my brethren. It's best to take each day as it comes for now.
But Yukimura hadn't shaved in weeks.
Even when motionless, he found himself unable to discern exactly what was being said. All he could determine was that some important visitor had arrived with what sounded like several armored soldiers. After some conversation, two people began walking towards the staircase at the end of the corridor. Was Chikamitsu coming back with the visitor? Yukimura listened carefully. No doubt about it, the pair was definitely coming down the steps. Were they going to retrieve some item from the castle's larder and storerooms; or were they really coming to see him?
Crates and barrels filled Yukimura's chamber, and he groped his way cautiously around these obstacles towards the far corner of the room; the side closest to the staircase. Suddenly his foot bumped against a small, ceramic object on the floor with a loud clink; which wobbled, toppled over and rattled against the floor. Yukimura winced with disgust as a revolting stench assailed his senses. He'd just kicked over his own chamber pot, which meant he was now standing in a slimy puddle of his own...ugh.
As soon as the realization hit him, Yukimura heard the key unlocking his door, and light flooded the room. Chikamitsu hadn't even bothered to knock. He flinched instinctively against the sudden brightness before straightening up and bowing to present whatever dignity he had left to the new arrival.
Kanetsugu frowned at Chikamitsu when the other man clicked his tongue in mock sympathy. But his annoyance gave way to confusion followed by dismay at Yukimura's disheveled state. Yukimura appeared scruffy in a fraying yukata that was slightly too small for him. Overgrown, tousled hair obscured much of his features, and stubble covered his chin. Clearly, it was more than just Chikamitsu's handing that had resulted in his current state.
"…Yukimura? I'm Naoe Kanetsugu. Do you remember me?"
"Yes."
Recognition flickered in the captive's eyes. But the way he uttered that single syllable in answer filled Kanetsugu with sadness. Gone was the fiery warrior he saw at Kawanakajima. Yukimura carried himself like a prisoner-of-war; and his eyes bore the empty expression of a tired horse that had seen too many battles and lost the spirit to fight.
"Please, I would like to dine with you. I've just had a long journey." Kanetsugu knew that was only partly true – he'd feasted earlier with monks at Risenji; but desperately wanted to do anything to lift Yukimura's spirits. It would also be impolite for the other man to refuse.
"Thank you, Lord Kanetsugu. Please allow me to clean this mess first."
Kanetsugu responded by turning to Chikamitsu and ordering Yukimura's guardian to fetch a lit lamp, and a servant with a mop and bucket. The older retainer grumbled as he shuffled back up the stairway to obey him. When he turned back, he noted that Yukimura's expression had changed to one of curious suspicion. He smiled warmly in response.
"Consider yourself an honored guest. I take it that no welcome dinner was held on your arrival. Please forgive us for the delayed hospitality."
It's him…Kenshin's cheerful young magician. The one that talks about love and honor all the time, or so Shingen said. There was no way Yukimura could fail to recognize the officer that became completely smitten with him at first sight. Kanetsugu wore his heart on his sleeve! In another time, in another place, he might have returned the sentiment. But not when Shingen was dead, his clan was dying, and certainly not when he was a prisoner standing in his own filth. Yukimura was surprised to find that he still sufficient pride to feel irritated by the fact.
Has he come to court me now? Yukimura pondered. He could not politely refuse the senior official's invitation and realized that he would also be placed in a difficult situation if Kanetsugu actually requested closer intimacy as well. Judging from what he heard of the man, Yukimura doubted that Kanetsugu would stoop to taking advantage of him; but could not be absolutely sure. He decided it was probably better to gently defuse Kanetsugu's interest before things escalated. Once supplied with illumination, Yukimura went over to his trunk and picked out his most drab, but formal kimono. Some quick rummaging at the bottom of the container uncovered a length of cord which Yukimura used to tie his hair back. The tangled ponytail would need to be cropped eventually, but at least he now looked slightly more presentable.
Now, only one last item was needed. Yukimura's hachimaki, the headband bearing the symbol of the Sanada clan, could not be omitted at an event like this. Gently he lifted it from where it lay at his bedside, and unfolded it to reveal the silhouettes of six square-holed coins neatly embroidered into the fabric. Its meaning was archaic. According to the old myths, six coins was the fare each deceased human soul paid to the celestial boatman that would ferry them to paradise. Well, Yukimura understood long ago that money could not buy happiness, let alone passage to heaven. Plus, his clan was already struggling to survive and it seemed inauspicious to wear what was in effect a burial tax on his head. But even if he disagreed with its symbolism, Yukimura understood the significance of wearing the hachimaki. It was a reminder that even in the depths of Echigo, he would endure as a warrior of his clan; and his pride in it would never falter.
It was all he had to hang on to.
Chikamitsu waited outside the door to escort him to the dining hall. Once he was ready, Yukimura joined Kanetsugu for the night's meal.
True to his warm demeanor, Kanetsugu was dressed in an orange kimono with a bamboo motif. To Yukimura's relief, the other man had requested the attendance of the castle's other officials. Ichirou and Chikamitsu flanked him on either side, and four more samurai were seated on the floor. The atmosphere was slightly awkward. The Uesugi men aside from Kanetsugu were being effectively forced to eat with Yukimura as an equal; while Yukimura remained solemn-faced and carefully reticent so as not to rouse his attentions. They dined in silence.
The meal was simple, but surprisingly tasty. Echigo was the second largest exporter of rice in Japan, and so it was the staple of almost every one of Yukimura's meals here; including this one. But a few flakes of dried seaweed transformed it into an aromatic treat. A serving of stewed vegetables accompanied the meal, consisting of chopped mushrooms, tapioca, bamboo shoot, and brine-pickled radishes. Slices of freshwater catfish, a common denizen of flooded rice paddies, were also provided; the concentric rings of boiled fish muscle partially obscured by the egg and tofu that was added as extra flavor. Yukimura savored his meal and the warm sake that accompanied it; reminded of the fact that if Echigo could produce vast quantities of rice, then it could also have a massive rice wine industry! That was how Kenshin could drink to his heart's content. Servants remained close at hand to replenish emptied cups; and when the alcohol flowed, tongues became loosened. The officials began to talk merrily among themselves, while young Ichirou started swaying slightly.
Wishing to retain control of his senses, Yukimura diligently limited his sake intake and watched with grim fascination as Kanetsugu consumed far more than the other men. Keen to relax and enjoy himself at the end of his journey, the strategist was toasting with everyone in the room. When it finally came to his turn, Yukimura dutifully held up his sake and coolly reciprocated the gesture; but Kanetsugu gave him a lopsided grin over the edge of his own cup and winked.
Oh great, here it comes.
"Heresch to 'yer good health, and…happy times. Yup, together we shall…er…" Mercifully, Kanetsugu was unable to complete the statement as he struggled to prop himself upright with his free hand. Nine cups of sake were clearly having an effect on both his coordination and judgment, Yukimura reflected. It was obvious that he did not share his former lord's phenomenal tolerance.
"Your generosity overwhelms me, Lord Kanetsugu," Yukimura tactfully answered. "To good health."
"Y-You are ze most hora…hona…honorable warrior I met. Love…honor 'n justice are all a samurai's gotta live by y'know…" Kanetsugu raised his cup high.
Be careful Yukimura, or he'll preach all night if you let him…
"Aye, my lord. One should always aspire to serve the greater good. But I prefer the simple things in life…good food, fresh air, and a comfy bed at night."
Kanetsugu lowered the cup and suddenly became absorbed with his own reflection in the sake.
"…Uh, pardon? 'Dint fink I got the last bit…"
"I said I like a comfy bed at night."
Just how far gone is this guy?
"I…I fink I should…should…go ta bed. 'Tis been a long day…" Yes. Yes!
"A wise notion. I am tired too."
With this affirmation, Kanetsugu rose unsteadily to his feet. A pair of servants helped him out of the room and presumably to his sleeping quarters.
Phew.
But Chikamitsu had listened to the exchange and remained more sober than the others. Once Kanetsugu had departed, he wasted no time in goading Yukimura back to his cell.
Morning broke over Kasugayama Castle, with the sun rising slowly over the horizon to the calls of forest songbirds trilling in the dew-drenched air; accompanied by the thunderous roar of cannon-fire and the screams of a thousand dying soldiers. The raging battle was confined to the interior of Kanetsugu's skull however.
Cold splashes of water and a hot cup of tea did little to relieve the throbbing hangover. The strategist massaged his temples and groaned – magic could move mountains, level cities and destroy entire armies, but could not eliminate the consequences of a night of excessive drinking. What in the world had possessed him to try and out-drink Uesugi Kenshin?
Oh yeah, Yukimura was there. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Kanetsugu knew that he ought to be excitedly running down to the basement to find him; but the headache dampened his enthusiasm the moment he removed his head from the bucket. Instead he settled for sitting on his mattress and trying to piece together what happened the previous night. Yukimura had been suspicious and tense; and by drinking liberal quantities of sake, he'd been trying to subtly encourage Yukimura to relax as well. But the man remained on his guard and Kanetsugu had made a fool of himself instead. Resisting the impulse to crawl back into bed, he washed his hair and got dressed.
On reaching the basement, Kanetsugu found Yukimura's door ajar and nobody present. This left him at a bit of a loss. Kasugayama Castle was immense, one of the four largest mountain castles in Japan at the time of its construction. Chikamitsu and Yukimura could be anywhere in its many levels, assuming they were in the main fortress to begin with. Outside there were multiple outbuildings, guard towers, rows of stables and walled gardens. He would have to wait until they returned for a meal or encountered him by chance.
It was heartbreaking for Kanetsugu to realize that Yukimura had slipped into a chronic haze of depression. With perseverance, he felt he could gradually help Yukimura overcome it, but would he be the same person he had fallen in love with afterwards? Time and tribulations had been unkind to Yukimura. Lover or not, Kanetsugu could not sit by and watch the Takeda's finest surviving warrior slip into miserable oblivion.
Historic notes:
Coins - Before the 17th century, Japan imported many Chinese coins as currency. These distinctive coins had a square hole through the center which enabled them to be hung from a cord for ease of storage.
Hachimaki - Words and symbols on a headband often carry a message that is important to the wearer. However, the act of putting on a hachimaki is a symbolic gesture in itself and implies that the wearer is 'getting down to business' and is willing to endure through something difficult. It's the Japanese equivalent of rolling up one's sleeves.
Food and Drink– Yukimura's welcome dinner, while delicious and fairly complex, was hastily prepared from ingredients that were common in Sengoku-era Echigo and readily obtainable from storage in a mountaintop castle in the middle of the night. The cooks did not have time to prepare a more elaborate meal of sushi or red meat which would have been more appropriate for someone of Kanetsugu's rank, but he obviously did not mind. He's a nice guy like that. And yes, Echigo literally dripped with sake!