A/N: Scary Kanetsugu alert. The rating has been updated to reflect new, lemon-flavoured developments. ;)
Edit: Corrected grammer/punctuation. Thanks for the review and tip, Sue!
Shadows danced in the candlelight, although all windows and openings to the room were shut. A robed figure shuffled through an atmosphere dense with incense and the clarion chimes of prayer bells, chanting an arcane mantra in a hypnotic rhythm that resonated in the enclosed space.
The body of Sanada Yukimura lay unmoving within a circled pentagram which glowed from the pale, supernatural light cast by five ofuda; each paper charm positioned at one point of the star. Clothed only in his underwear, the battered warrior lay face-up with each limb splayed out on the stone floor, so that his head, arms and legs each occupied a triangle. Bloodied rags turned the water in a nearby bowl a pale red, but Yukimura's wounds were now clean and bandaged. Angry green-and-black bruises marred his chest, shoulders and jaw, but these were not open wounds. The skin of his back was torn open in three places and hidden from view. A final, gentle dab with a wet cloth was directed not at the swelling on his scalp, but at the single tear that slowly rolled down his right cheek.
Suddenly there was a sharp intake of breath as Yukimura abruptly regained consciousness. A powerfully-muscled arm shot upwards and trapped the wrist attached to the hand near his face. Immediately he felt a firm, but gentle pressure against his forehead, restraining him from rising. But pain flooded back to his senses and Yukimura tensed reflexively. More effective was Kanetsugu's soothing voice somewhere above him.
"Shh…relax. Just rest. You are safe, and everything is fine."
He released his grip. With herculean effort, Yukimura forced open his right eye – his left one was swollen shut. Kanetsugu knelt by his side, his white ceremonial robes glowing a pale orange in the candlelight. Across the room he could see the incongruously plump, smiling form of a statue of Bishamonten clutching a sword and miniature pagoda, but the rotund God of War sat shrouded in darkness. Steadily he rolled his gaze upward until it came to rest on the illuminated statue of Aizen-Myoo.
The God of Love, adored and worshipped by Naoe Kanetsugu, sprouted six arms and three faces; each of which bore a ferocious scowl that made Bishamonten appear meek in comparison. For the first time, Yukimura felt slightly nervous about Kanetsugu, who only smiled gently and brushed his hair from his face. Just what kind of ritual was he now a part of? Yukimura shuddered slightly as he remembered his fight with Chikamitsu and tried to guess what Kanetsugu had in mind for him. He spoke, but his sentences emerged as ragged breaths.
"How…Chikamitsu…what happened…? You knocked me unconscious…"
"…to save you from yourself. Had you succeeded in strangling him with the whip, I would have been forced to execute you. The permanent scar around his neck will serve as a just enough punishment."
"Forgive me…If there is anything I can do to make amends…"
"You only need to allow me to heal you. First, drink."
A cup of warm, but watered-down sake was passed to his lips. Yukimura sucked at it greedily, feeling it simultaneously relax him and quench his thirst. Once it was put aside, Yukimura gazed mesmerized, no longer possessed of any desire to resist, as Kanetsugu reached out a long, delicate finger and touched a sensitive spot just under the edge of his left collarbone. With aching slowness, the finger moved horizontally towards his sternum. As it did so, it left behind a strange sensation that was more than just a gentle touch. The fingertip felt cool and smooth on his skin, but wherever it passed, Yukimura's nerves flared to warm, tingling delight. By the time it traced a tortuous path down the centre of his chest and under his right nipple, Yukimura was suppressing a helpless whimper of pleasure.
"What was that? What are you doing?"
Kanetsugu held up his finger to show Yukimura. A spark of golden light slowly faded from the tip.
"A simple cantrip: the touch of divine magic itself. Are you comfortable with this?" He leaned closer to Yukimura, until the latter could smell the spicy scent in his warm breath and caress his face with a shaking hand in return.
"Yes, I guess," came his quiet reply. In all his thoughts of avoiding Kanetsugu, Yukimura had never dreamed he would end up like this. Yet despite the affirmative reply, a slight hesitation in his voice told Kanetsugu that Yukimura was not fully prepared yet for the best he could administer - his injuries were distracting him from the pleasure in any case. Yukimura would also need to sleep again soon in order to recover more quickly from his ordeal.
"Alright. Please try to lie still, so you don't reopen the cuts on your back." Kanetsugu repeated the same stroke, this time using two fingers. Then three, four and five fingers were used, increasing until the Uesugi mage was sliding the fingers of both hands across every muscled contour of Yukimura's chest, arms and abdomen and leaving his body awash in golden light. The soldier now clawed and scrabbled at the floorboards, writhing with pleasure. But when Kanetsugu paused, Yukimura opened his uninjured eye again to regard him warily.
He must be afraid to truly let go, and I can hardly blame him. Kanetsugu realized. An offering to Aizen-Myoo cannot be made without pure and willing desire. Gently he cradled Yukimura into a sitting position, and was mildly amused to watch as the younger warrior noticed the bulge under his loincloth and shyly moved a hand to cover it. Then they rose together and walked to the wide, two-person futon against the wall of the room, the same one he once shared with his lord years ago. He could feel Yukimura relax into his arms and warm himself against the cozy, silken softness of his robes, and was gladdened by his trust.
Yukimura hesitated again. "You are an…," he paused, as if trying to find the right words, "experienced lover. I don't know how…" Kanetsugu only chuckled slightly in reply, close enough to whisper hot breath behind his ear, and was rewarded with a quiver of anticipation in return.
"You really mean to say I'm a temple whore and you are a virgin sacrifice who doesn't know what to do next." On sensing Yukimura stiffen, he added, "I would not be able to do this with anyone I could not treasure above everything else; one who would live, fight and die with honor and for whom I would also do the same." He eased Yukimura onto the bed, on the side closer to the wall so he would have something firm to brace himself against. "I know you have had your doubts and I want you to understand that what you are about to receive comes with absolutely no obligation except your complete enjoyment. I know you have experienced terrible loss and injustice, but even if you leave me tomorrow, I want you to have enjoyed this. True love expects nothing in return. You won't need to do anything except relax."
He lay down beside Yukimura, who closed his eyes again and sighed, before shuffling backwards into his embrace. A shiver ran through him, from chill instead of pleasure, and Kanetsugu immediately wrapped the blanket around them both. Four passionate kisses, each one harder than the last, covered the area between the back of Yukimura's ear and his shoulder; before the blanket was securely tucked under his chin and Kanetsugu's free hand resumed its exploration. Reverent fingers discovered and worshipped every curve of his body in ways that Yukimura never thought possible, until they found and undid the knots of his underwear.
An unrestrained, gasping cry escaped his lips as Kanetsugu's skilled hands found their mark. One arm continued to hold him close, but the other wrapped around and massaged his shaft. The sensation was mind-shattering, and when Kanetsugu began pumping, Yukimura could do nothing except howl in time to the rhythm, unwilling and unable to care if anyone listened. Just when he thought he was going to explode, Kanetsugu paused, and then resumed and augmented his efforts with added spiritual energy. Impossibly, the sensations became even more intense, and in the blackness behind his eyelids, Yukimura could see stars and flashes of light. He felt like he was running through a burning rice-field, the touch of each flame caressing him with pleasure instead of pain, until he fell and was totally consumed. And even when the inferno roared through the very fiber of his being, Kanetsugu kept stoking the flames, so that Yukimura felt like a phoenix repeatedly immolated and reborn in each wave of pleasure until he was completely spent.
The last thing Yukimura remembered before he collapsed into exhausted slumber was the robed figure of Kanetsugu fading into existence above the smoldering ashes, growing and expanding until he took on the multi-limbed form of Aizen-Myoo himself. Then six, powerful arms reached out and pulled him close, surrounding him with both divine protection and the softest warmth. In the embrace of the God of Love, Yukimura's fear, anger and grief was completely stripped away.
And all that was left was peace.
'Dear Kanetsugu,
I am glad that you are enjoying your time at Kasugayama Castle. In response to your letter sent ten days ago, I would like to re-clarify that the nature of your devotions to Aizen-Myoo do not interest, let alone disturb me in the slightest. While I treasure your tender companionship and assistance in running Yoita Castle, our marriage is one of convenience. I am sure you know as well as I do that in an ideal society, love alone should stand as the only reason for marriage.
Regarding the issue of Sanada Yukimura: I would be very pleased if you found joy and intimacy in his presence. He sounds like a good man and will be a welcome guest in this castle if he ever visits in the future. He may be cautious for now, but I expect you'll have better luck with him than you ever did with Lord Kenshin.
Which brings me to your second request: to stay longer at Kasugayama for the sake of Yukimura. Under normal circumstances I would disapprove of your long absence from duties in our province, but the recent news from Lord Kagekatsu is that the Toyotomi are building forts and preparing a massive army for a climactic move against the Tokugawa. There are whispers that we should officially ally ourselves with them as the Sanada already have and not cut ourselves off from the two thousand men already sent to Shinano. I would like the battalion of rookies that accompanied you to Kasugayama to receive intensive training, perhaps with Yukimura's help; so that they would be better defenders if this escalates into all-out war. You can stay in Kasugayama as long as you use the time to train them well.
Take care,
Lady Naoe Osen
P.S. I have appropriated the eight concubines Lord Kagekatsu sent you for my own pleasure; seeing that you find them utterly uninteresting. A woman's got to have company too, you know?'
When Yukimura woke again, he was lying exactly where Kanetsugu had left him; nestled in the incense-scented bed between two altars. The mage was gone, but he had left a neatly-folded change of clothes on the bed. On sitting up, a quick look in the direction of Aizen-Myoo's statue told Yukimura that the pentagram was erased too. Yukimura immediately examined himself and found that his wounds had healed at a supernatural rate, leaving only reddish marks under the bandages; which were discarded as useless.
He got dressed quickly. Had Kanetsugu really methodically and skillfully sacrificed him to his patron? Come to think of it, the mage had masturbated him well beyond the point of climax, and yet had not actually been aroused himself. This latter fact irked Yukimura as he walked over to the statue of Aizen-Myoo and examined the altar closely in the light of day, to discern some rationale for Kanetsugu's abstinence. On a low dais, two jars of still-burning incense were positioned, along with a pair of extinguished candles from the night before. A prayer bell and a cup of sake lay on the altar too, but the centre of the altar was occupied by a large brass bowl and an ornate ritual dagger that bore the carved likeness of the Buddha's head on its handle. Not understanding any of their significance, Yukimura still knelt before the altar and bowed deeply, touching the ground with his forehead several times in sincere thanks.
True love expects nothing in return. Had Kanetsugu taken this completely literally; or had his indecision resulted in this? Aizen-Myoo's face, with its fossilized expression of righteous wrath, betrayed no answers. A similar examination of Bishamonten's altar was just as uninformative. But just when Yukimura turned to leave the room, he froze as sudden insight struck him.
The God of Love was terrifyingly fierce, but embodied love, desire and compassion.
The God of War was chubby and smiling, but reigned as the grim lord of warriors and battle. Come to think of it, he looked a bit like Takeda Shingen.
The gods could not lie - fundamental representations their true natures were enshrined forever in stone to be venerated and meditated upon. It was the personalities of their worshippers that were more multifaceted and often hidden, and here it seemed that they were in actual fact neatly reversed. Kanetsugu always spoke softly and gently, and yet had devoured him with ferocious passion the night before. His master once thundered like a tsunami across the battlefield, but did Uesugi Kenshin also save a little tenderness for those closest to him?
Were love and war, conquest and intercourse, daimyo and strategist…really that different at all?
The ramifications were mind-boggling and they left Yukimura filled with a newfound awe of Kanetsugu. Gone was his perception of a naïve and sappy romantic, and in its place was a man who drew strength from his convictions and empowered others with his all-consuming, unadulterated love.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. Yukimura opened the door, expecting to find Kanetsugu there, and frowned instead when it turned out to be Chikamitsu.
"Good morning, Yukimura." The man kept his eyes downcast, as if he was sheepish and more than a little afraid of his charge. A large box lay on the floor beside him.
"Good morning, sir," Yukimura answered awkwardly. "I'm ready to go to the stables."
To his surprise, Chikamitsu slowly knelt and bowed before him, exposing to view the crimson welt that completely encircled his neck. The elderly retainer's voice was soft, almost quivering as he spoke.
"The stables can wait, Yukimura. I have come to apologize for the unjust treatment I have meted out…I vow never to repeat this."
Yukimura hid his surprise well. Once upon a time, it would have ended at that; but Yukimura was now a man transformed. A large, calloused hand gently reached out to grasp Chikamitsu's shoulder. "Please rise. I forgive you. But tell me…what has prompted your change of heart?"
There was a pregnant pause before Chikamitsu slowly replied, "Because I truly am sorry for what I have done, and…because anyone who has been touched by the God of Love is forever a changed man. It means that you are no longer my enemy, if indeed you ever were."
He heard a nervous chuckle from Yukimura. Chikamitsu stood up in genuine surprise. "…Yukimura?"
"Was it….er, last night…that obvious?"
Another pause.
"Er……yeah."
"……"
Chikamitsu stifled a grin on seeing Yukimura blushing to the tips of his ears in pure embarrassment at the fact that he'd kept every member of the castle staff awake past midnight. Quickly, and with considerable effort, he shoved the box in front of the warrior and bowed again.
"Your armor, Sanada Yukimura. Please take back what is rightfully yours."
The enormity of the gesture and what it implied for the extant of Chikamitsu's trust moved Yukimura almost to tears. Most of all, it was the way he uttered the name 'Sanada' with such personal regard that finally convinced Yukimura that Chikamitsu now respected him as a member of his clan. With longing fingers he undid the clasp holding the lid shut and gazed once again at the red, battle-worn plates.
"Thank you, sir."
"Call me 'Chikamitsu'."
"Yes si…Chikamitsu."
"And here is your spear." The retainer reached past the edge of the doorframe and brought Crimson Fang into view, presenting it to Yukimura shaft first. The young warrior was left speechless; his jaw hung slack even as joy creased the edges of his lips.
"Lord Kanetsugu has requested that you work only the afternoon shift in the stables, and devote each weekday morning to training with him and his squad of young soldiers."
"Please tell him I gladly accept this task."
"Then if you are feeling well enough today, he would like to spar with you in the outer courtyard. Once you have changed, I will escort you there."
Yukimura shut the door and strapped on his armor with eager alacrity, now regretting postponing his much-needed haircut as the long strands got caught in the joints between the plates on his back. Impatiently he grabbed the head of Crimson Fang and awkwardly sheared off nearly a foot of unwanted hair so that it was back to its former length. Lastly he donned his hachimaki of six coins and brought his spear out to meet Kanetsugu in full battle order.
Kanetsugu had impossible ideals, but he was also an impossible man. Yukimura tightened his grip on his spear and hoped he would also now find in him an impossible opponent.
A/N: Apologies for spending so long on this chapter – dealing with gods is not a matter I take lightly and in fact, this chapter was changed at the last moment when I discovered the connection between Kanetsugu and Aizen-Myoo; and it forced a dramatic rewrite that did not so much change Kanetsugu's personality but gave it a greater intensity. Basically I was trying to find out why the kanji character for 'ai' (love) was worn prominently by Kanetsugu in the game and in real life and stumbled across his name among the links given in the Japanese Wikipedia article for Aizen-Myoo. The 'Ai' in 'Aizen-Myoo' is the same character that is on Kanetsugu's clothes. Unable to read Japanese, I copy-pasted his name and 'Aizen-Myoo', as a single string of kanji, into Google just to double-check, and found that their names occur in the same sentence for most of the results. I think that's enough evidence to say there must be some kind of connection.
Also, feel free to take the content of Osen's letter however you will. Seriously.
Historical info:
Aizen-Myoo - Worshipped by Naoe Kanetsugu, the god of love, lust and compassion is also revered by actors, musicians, couples in love and singles looking for romance. In modern times he is also worshipped by homosexuals. Aizen-Myoo has both a male and female aspect and is sometimes worshipped with tantric-like rituals. He appears angry as he is always brimming with suppressed lust, and converts the sensual pleasure of his followers into enlightenment and universal compassion.
Bishamonten - I have a little statue of the god of war on my desk. He is really plump and smiles from ear to ear. He carries a sword and a mini pagoda, which apparently represents the treasury of heaven, which he guards and also gives out to the deserving. Aside from war, Bishamonten also stands for protection and justice.
Magic – One of Kanetsugu's battle moves involves him casting a pentagram in front of him using his charms. Given that he is both a priest of Aizen-Myoo and a magic-user, I've put two and two together and turned him into a tantric sex magician. I'm also expecting the flames to be heading my way in five, four, three, two…